Chapter 594

“Haa!”

Siyan glared at Leiran, who was running behind her, as she made her way through the forest.

“Why did you not tell me?!”

“I didn’t want to disturb you because you were focused on the barrier.”

Leiran briefly lowered her head, meeting Siyan’s eyes.

“You can still talk.”

Siyan’s red lips pouted.

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever. Focus on running quickly.”

She dashed towards the world tree, saying that it was fine as long as she could quickly reach their destination.

Leiran narrowed her eyes while looking at the water shoes surrounding Siyan’s feet.

‘She’s really changed.’

Siyan was originally the least talented elf in Seipia.

She was bad at combat, she couldn’t summon any spirits, and she couldn’t even stand in front of others because she was too shy.

However, her life had completely changed after she’d summoned the water spirit king.

Just like when a dam blocking a river is destroyed, she became capable of controlling the mana of nature as if it were her own, she gained a natural talent in martial arts, and her spirit summoning was unmatched in the entirety of Seipia.

Not even a week had passed after Eden's invasion, but no one other than Sterin and the head elder could win against her anymore in Seipia.

‘She is so respectable.’

Even though Siyan had been looked down upon for her entire life, she’d confidently forgiven her kin who had been humiliating her even after she gained the power and talent. Her mindset itself was completely extraordinary.

However, there were times when Siyan’s wisdom and benevolence would completely break down.

‘Raon Zieghart.’

Just like what she was doing, she didn’t care about anything else whenever Raon was involved.

It was the same when Raon was unconscious, She gathered every precious medical material in Seipia to make them into an elixir to feed him.

She almost gave off the impression that the human called Raon was more important than Seipia to her.

‘Well, it is actually understandable.’

The entirety of Seipia would’ve turned into ash if it weren’t for Raon, so she could at least understand why Siyan cherished Raon so much.

“Lady Siyan, please slow down a little. It’s difficult to follow.”

Leiran smiled faintly as she watched Siyan, who seemed to be riding the wind.

“We are almost there! Keep it up for a moment!”

Even though she encouraged Leiran with her words, she increased the speed even further. She even used the wind spirit to advance and stopped in front of the world tree’s barrier.

“Ah…”

Hundreds of elves were kneeling in front of Raon and were loudly calling him their benefactor.

The letters in the Biography of Raon Zieghart tickled her brain as she faced that majestic scene. Even though she’d never seen those scenes before, she could still imagine them.

‘I have to write this one.’

The reason she was born was to witness that scene and put it into words.

She was feeling a sense of duty. She had to write that part even if she had to bribe the author of the Biography of Raon Zieghart.

Siyan clenched her fist, a new resolution in her mind.

* * *

Raon’s fingers trembled as he watched the elves bowing at him politely.

Chills ran down his spine because the sincerity of the elves under the world tree pulled at his heartstrings.

‘I’m grateful, but this is excessive…’

He did play an important role during Eden’s attack, but he definitely didn’t deserve such a huge expression of gratitude.

You idiot!

Raon was about to shake his hand to refuse when Wrath popped out.

Are you going to act humble again, saying that you only did your job?

‘What?’

Being humble isn’t always a good thing.

Wrath raised his plump finger and pointed at the elves.

Those shitty ears are serious. If you refuse their gratitude just because you feel uncomfortable with it, you would be disregarding them.

He furrowed his brow, telling him that he shouldn’t disregard their favor.

“Hmm…”

Raon looked at the elves again, following Wrath’s finger. Like he’d said, they were simply expressing their gratitude.

Refusing it just because he felt uncomfortable was indeed an act of disrespect and disregard towards them.

‘Hah, I never thought I would learn something from you.’

The King of Essence has been telling you! He is more human than you!

‘That might really be true.’

Raon smiled faintly and unsheathed Heavenly Drive.

“Zieghart’s Light Wind vice division leader, Raon Zieghart accepts Seipia’s gratitude.”

Holding the sword in a reverse grip, he pointed the tip towards the ground and pulled the hilt towards the chest. It was the sword salute from Zieghart. He sincerely responded to the sincerity of the elves.

Sterin’s lips curved into a smile upon seeing Raon’s polite and confident demeanor.

“Thank you for accepting our gratitude.”

Sterin stood up. The other elves raised their heads after him.

“That’s rare coming from you.”

Rimmer came up next to Raon and tapped his shoulder.

“You always took a step back whenever this kind of thing happened and made it awkward for everyone.”

He smiled cheerfully, showing that he was in a good mood.

“I can’t be the same forever.”

Hey! You weasel!

Wrath barked at him.

The King of Essence helped you!

Raon nodded while looking at Wrath, who started to rampage.

“Someone told me to stop pretending to be humble.”

“I don’t know who said that, but they are so right.”

Rimmer bobbed his hand while giggling.

“They must be the type of person who always says the right thing, someone with a cool personality.”

Ahem!

Wrath cleared his throat while looking at Rimmer.

Even Shitty Ears can be right sometimes!

He grinned in satisfaction. Raon couldn’t understand how a demon king was so weak against compliments.

“Raon Zieghart.”

Sterin stepped in front of him with a gentle smile on his face.

“Thank you.”

He thanked him once again and patted his shoulder.

“I’m also thankful to you.”

“Hmm?”

“I only managed to win thanks to your lesson about the Sentient Arrow’s principles, protector.”

It was true. If his will hadn’t managed to connect with the Blade of Requiem at the end of the fight, the Crimson Flame Demon would’ve been the victor instead.

“What…?”

Sterin widened his eyes, unable to comprehend.

“D-did you really achieve that?”

“I was just lucky.”

Raon briefly explained the battle he had against the Crimson Flame Demon.

“Huh…”

Sterin’s chin trembled because the explanation had made it even more difficult to comprehend.

“Even though your will managed to reach the possessed sword, how could a novice Grandmaster achieve the Dancing Sword…?”

“Grandpa, I already told you.”

Rimmer curled his lips into a smile while looking at Sterin’s eyebrows as they soared upwards.

“You shouldn’t judge my disciple with common sense.”

He shook his head while patting Raon’s head.

“Just like we have high elves among elves, he is a high human. Don’t apply any common sense to him.”

“What are you saying now…?” Raon sighed while looking at Rimmer.

“That might be true…”

However, Sterin blinked as if he believed it. That showed how surprised he was by the Dancing Sword.

“That’s not true. I’m an ordinary human.”

Raon quickly shook his hand.

“At this point, his nonsense is more believable than a novice Grandmaster using the Dancing Sword,” Sterin gasped while pointing at Rimmer.

“Moreover, he is the fire spirit king’s contractor! I’m sure there was no human like him in the continent’s history!”

Erian stepped forward and gave a big nod. He was now talking about the continent’s history. He was as strange as Rimmer.

“Th-that’s not true.”

Everyone’s gazes shifted to the right upon hearing the weak voice.

Her blond hair, similar to melted sunlight, wavered into the air, and her eyes, as blue as the reflected moonlight, glowed a wistful color.

People would fall speechless just from facing her eyes because of her overwhelming beauty. She was outstanding even among the elves, who were considered to be the most beautiful race.

“L-Lady Siyan?”

“Ah, yes…”

Siyan hung her head, blushing.

Even though she wasn’t in a blanket anymore, her voice was even quieter than before.

“You took off the blanket now.”

“I-it’s all thanks to you…”

Siyan nodded, still staring at the ground.

“Siyan, what did you mean when you said it’s not true?”

Sterin shook his hand, urging her to continue what she was trying to say.

“Ah, Sir Raon isn’t the fire spirit king’s contractor.”

“Lady Siyan, what do you mean by that?!”

Erian stomped the ground powerfully in disbelief.

“Raon is the fire spirit king’s contractor, regardless of what anyone says! You must’ve also seen him fight alongside the spirit king!”

“He’s not.”

Siyan confidently shook her head, unlike when she was talking to Raon.

“I heard it from Ellaim.”

She raised her trembling gaze and looked at Raon.

“Sir Raon is the fire spirit king’s big brother!”

Everyone under the world tree stopped breathing for a moment upon hearing Siyan’s strange declaration.

“Huh…?”

“What does that mean…?”

“B-big brother? He’s not a contractor but a big brother?”

“Ugh…”

Sterin, Rimmer, and Erian widened their eyes to the ridiculous statement, and Raon closed his eyes tightly.

‘Please…’

He could guess that the strawberry-flavored spirit king talked about him in the spiritual realm.

“Why is Raon the spirit king’s big brother?”

Rimmer rapidly blinked, saying that he couldn’t imagine how it happened.

“I’m not sure either. I only heard that Ifrit said he would serve Sir Raon as his big brother as soon as he returned to the spiritual realm…”

Siyan shook her head, saying that even the spirit kings didn’t know the exact reason.

“Haa…”

Raon sighed upon hearing that part.

‘That’s a relief, at least.’

He was contemplating how to explain the presence of Wrath, but Ifrit fortunately hadn’t mentioned the important part.

It was actually understandable because he would’ve had to tell them about how he was eaten by Wrath if he wanted to explain the circumstances. It could be called a natural outcome in a way.

“H-he is his big brother instead of contractor!”

Erian’s lips trembled as he looked at Raon.

“I knew it, my eyes weren’t wrong! I noticed his spirit since the first time we met!”

He shouted that his sixth sense was the best among the elves.

“That’s not the important part right now!”

The head elder pushed Erian aside and stood in front of Raon.

“How did you even become the fire spirit king’s big brother?”

“Y-yes. Please tell us!”

“What did you even do?”

The elders and the elves also swarmed next to him, curious about how it happened.

“About that…”

Raon wrinkled his nose and sighed.

‘How shall I explain this…?’

He could never tell them the truth. He tried to muster his thoughts when a dazzling light suddenly sparkled in the sky.

Whaaap!

The world tree spread its wings of branches, just like during their first encounter.

The majestic energy of nature condensed in between the transparent leaves with a dazzling and beautiful radiance.

Whir!

The sphere of light glimmered like a comet, gradually dimming before gently hovering in front of Raon, as if riding on a cloud.

Raon instinctively extended his hand, and the clear radiance subsided, revealing a fruit slightly bigger than an apple.

‘Is this…?’

He’s never seen the fruit before. There was some kind of concentric emblem on the peel that looked beautiful and complex, like a piece of art.

It had a red color like a strawberry and looked so tasty that it made him want to put it in his mouth right away.

The most impressive part was its fragrance. Even though it wasn’t even cut, the sweet and pure fragrance was tickling his nose.

“Th-the fruit…”

The head elder’s jaw dropped as he looked at the red fruit.

“It’s the world tree’s fruit!”

“Th-the world tree gave away its fruit…”

“I-is this the world tree’s fruit?”

It wasn’t just the head elder. Every single elf around him was shocked to see the fruit, their lips trembling.

Raon had heard that the world tree’s fruit was an amazing elixir, but it was unexpected that the elves would be so surprised by it.

“It’s only natural.”

Sterin swallowed nervously, looking at the world tree’s fruit.

“The world tree’s fruit is rumored to grow once every hundred years, but it’s actually given by the world tree only when it wants to. Since it’s pretty much a divine fruit, it’s not strange at all that they are surprised.”

He gasped, saying that they should be complimented for not fainting from the sight of it.

“Can I really accept such a precious—”

Acceeeeeept it!

Wrath shouted, almost screaming.

Accept it no matter what! You stupid weasel! Why are you keeping up with that shitty humble act after everything the King of Essence told you?!

He furrowed his brow, saying that Raon shouldn’t ignore the world tree’s favor.

‘Say that again after wiping the drool from around your mouth.’

Wrath was pretending to advise him even though drool was flooding from his mouth.

Haap!

He quickly swept away the drool and licked his lips.

Anyway, you have to accept it no matter what! Why are you so considerate to others when you keep sucking the King of Essence’s power like an anteater?!

Wrath raised his hands, saying that he would curse him forever if he didn’t eat the fruit.

“Hah.”

Sterin shook his head in disbelief.

“You must be the only one who can say that with the world tree’s fruit in front of you.”

“That’s his problem. It’s so frustrating to watch, unbefitting of Zieghart.”

Rimmer sighed and pushed back the world tree’s fruit that Raon was holding.

“This is yours. Since the world tree personally bestowed it upon you, you are the only one entitled to it. Everyone in this place witnessed that fact.”

“He is right. Take it.”

“I have to admit it since it happened right in front of my eyes.”

“Th-that’s right. Sir Raon has to take it!”

The head elder, Erian, and Siyan nodded in agreement.

Raon smiled faintly while looking at the elves.

‘Everyone feels like the division leader.’

Even though they’d only met recently, he already felt like he’d gotten closer to them. He could guess that it was because he could feel their emotions thanks to the world tree.

“Then I’ll take it gratefully.”

Raon hugged the world tree’s fruit and lowered his head at Sterin and the elves.

Whaaap!

The world tree’s branches spread into the sky and started to flutter along the sunlight’s trajectory. It looked like the world tree was smiling happily.

Kuhehehehe!

Wrath laughed frivolously while looking at the world tree’s fruit.

World tree’s fruit! It was worth coming to this boring place! Happiness finally arrived after all of that Nadine bread!

He was rejoicing as if the world tree’s fruit was already in his mouth.

Look at those stupid elves. They must be so jealous right now because this weasel took away their fruit!

‘I don’t think anyone is thinking like that, though.’

They are just pretending! No one would be laughing when someone took what should be theirs!

Wrath clicked his tongue, scolding his naivety.

Eat it right now before someone takes it away or you lose it! And laugh at the shitty ears that created the Nadine bread!

He seemed to despise the elves because of the Nadine bread.

‘Haa…’

Raon sighed while thinking that this demon king was so annoying.

[You’ve become the benefactor of the elves.]

[You’ve gained the fire spirit king’s respect.]

[You’ve achieved a great deed.]

[All stats have increased by 25.]

The messages appearing in front of his eyes were rewards for the incident.

Kuaah…

Wrath’s dazzling smile bent into a strange angle. However, more messages were coming.

[The Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s mastery has increased.]

[Glacier’s mastery has increased.]

[Fire Affinity has increased in rank.]

[Fire Resistance has increased in rank.]

The second set of messages announced the increase in his mastery of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier. His Fire Affinity and Fire Resistance had gained a whole rank, probably because he had to withstand the Crimson Flame Demon’s fire.

[The title Respected by a Spirit King has been created.]

The endless messages finally stopped appearing after the title was created.

‘I always love this announcement.’

Raon clenched his fist, feeling the sensation of the vitality returning to his body that hadn’t completely recovered yet.

Ugh…

Wrath, on the other hand, was on the verge of crying as he watched the messages with a trembling body.

‘Are you jelly?’

Raon curled his lips into a smile while watching Wrath, who was clutching his stomach with trembling shoulders.

Yeah! He’s so jelly he could die!

Wrath shouted that he couldn’t take it anymore and attacked him while baring his fangs.

Kiaaah!

* * *

Zieghart

Lord’s Manor

The master of Shadow Agents, Chad, was looking at the report in his hand with a trembling chin.

“I-it says that Eden attacked Seipia. The Crimson Flame Demon wearing the helmet of the previous fire spirit king came along with the ashen elves who betrayed Seipia…”

He swallowed nervously and read the letters written on the report.

“Oh no!”

Aries clenched her fist and turned around.

“I’ll go there!”

She immediately took a stance to get ready to dash off, saying she was heading straight to Seipia.

“He’s not finished yet. Keep reading.”

Glenn stopped Aries and pointed his chin at Chad to ask him to keep reading the report.

“Ah, yes. The Light Wind vice division leader and…”

Chad checked the last part of the report, then recited to them about how Raon managed to save Seipia and even obtained the world tree’s fruit.

“Oh hoh!”

Aries tied up her hair and turned around again.

“I need to go right now!”

“Where are you even going when it’s already over? Eden’s demons won’t be there…”

“They are going to hold a festival because it’s over! Since I’m Raon’s aunt, I should be treated as a national guest!”

She even used footwork to dash towards the door.

“Haa… Roenn.”

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn appeared like a ghost and stood in Aries’s way.

“Please hold back.”

“Argh…”

Aries could only frown because she couldn’t bring herself to attack Roenn.

“I’ve never heard the elves using the word benefactor. It’s truly a great deed.”

Sheryl gasped while looking at the report that Chad was holding.

“Huhu, he even became the spirit king’s contractor. I can’t even guess how far he is going to reach.”

Roenn’s face hardened unusually, showing his surprise.

“Hmmh…”

The sudden sound of someone holding back their laughter made everyone look above the platform.

“Did you hear a strange sound just now?”

Aries tilted her head in bewilderment. Since everyone except for her was already aware of who’d made that laughing sound, they didn’t say anything.

“I-I’m surprised by this part.”

Chad shook his head while pointing at the report.

“The world tree personally bestowed a fruit upon him. Since the fact that a human saw the world tree is already a historical moment, he should be the only person who has ever gotten the world tree’s fruit.”

“He always surpasses our imagination.”

Roenn nodded in response to Chad’s surprise.

“At this point, even diplomacy with the elves should be a possibility.”

Sheryl smiled, saying that a new path had opened up.

“I told you, Raon was born with it. Once he becomes the head of house, Zieghart will flourish beyond anything it is today."

“Hmmph!”

As soon as Aries complimented Raon, that sound of suppressing laughter could be heard again.

“What?! Who is doing that?! Who else is on the platform?”

Aries went onto the platform and searched all around it. She blinked, unable to think that the owner of that platform could’ve made that sound.

“What are you doing right now? Go down.”

Glenn removed the hand covering his mouth and frowned at Aries.

“I really heard it, though…”

Aries tilted her head, saying that it was strange.

“Ahem! Since Raon became the benefactor of the elves, an ordinary reception wouldn’t be suitable, right?”

Glenn briefly cleared his throat and implied that they should give Raon a warm welcome.

“O-of course! We should prepare a grand welcome!”

Chad clapped his hands, shouting that they should obviously do that.

“Indeed. Since Raon’s achievement will be extremely helpful for our diplomacy, we shall treat him accordingly.”

Sheryl nodded with a refreshing smile on her face.

“Huhuhuhu!”

Roenn laughed gently, simply enjoying the situation.

“Then I’ll go fetch him!”

Aries nodded and immediately ran towards the door.

“Behave yourself already!”

***

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]