Chapter 711

“I have no intention of letting go of either.”

Raon muttered calmly and clenched his fist.

‘I must be at the headquarters of the South-North Union before the war ends.’

Normally, there was no need to worry about the war.

The outcome of a war between Zieghart, who ranks high among the Six Kings and the Five Demons, and the South-North Union, who sit at the bottom of the Five Demons, was as obvious as daylight.

However, Derus Robert and the Fallen were pulling the strings behind this war.

They were the filthiest of the filthy, so they must be plotting something else.

'The target of their scheme is...'

It must be the head of house.

The biggest obstacle to Derus Robert and the Fallen is Glenn Zieghart, the head of house Zieghart and known as the Lightning God.

They were surely planning to use this war as an opportunity to kill Glenn Zieghart—so whatever it takes, it must be stopped.

‘And…’

Raon briefly licked his lips and lowered his gaze.

‘I can't let Merlin die either.’

Even though he was tired of Merlin's stalking, she had helped him a lot.

From information about Eden and the Five Demons to saving his life numerous times—it was now his turn to save Merlin.

“Yep!”

Flumen nodded vigorously, as if he believed they could do both.

You plan to do both?

‘Yes. In my current state, I can do both.’

Raon calmly raised his eyelids.

‘I’ve recovered from my injuries, and my enlightenment is sorted out.’

Thanks to Flumen's treatment and <Sloth>, all his external and internal injuries were completely healed, and the enlightenment he gained from the duel to death against the Axe King Roman and in the mental world were all his now.

Now, he felt like he couldn't lose to anyone and could do anything.

That’s…! You’re still not even close to the King of Essence’s toenail!

Wrath frowned his left eye, seemingly displeased.

‘Back then you didn’t even compare me to yourself. If I’m like a toenail, heh, it means I’ve grown a lot.’

Raon smiled brightly and waved his hand.

‘Thanks for the compliment.’

It’s not a compliment! He said toenail dirt, not just a toenail!

Wrath shook his head vigorously, insisting it was not a compliment.

‘Okay. Okay.’

Seeing him flustered made Raon even more confident. The achievements he had made were undoubtedly surprising even to the demon king.

Urgh, your tone has become even more arrogant.

‘I’ve always been like this.’

More! He said more!

Wrath bared his teeth as he pulled Raon’s ears.

How come you become more irritating the more he looks at you….

‘Huh? I was planning to buy you ten boxes of mint chocolate when I returned to the family because I was grateful you saved me.’

Damn Raon!

‘…Damn?’

Ah! Handsome!

Wrath tried to shout the word “handsome,” which Runaan and Encia often said as if breathing, but instead shouted “damn.”

It was unclear if he did it on purpose or if his memory was lacking for a demon king.

*Ten boxes of mint chocolate then the King of Essence will…. *

‘Be quiet now.’

Raon pushed away the clinging Wrath and turned his gaze to Flumen.

“Flumen, this is the Gazel River, right?”

“Yes. It’s the deepest part of the Gazel River.”

Flumen nodded, indicating that no one would find them here.

"How far is it from here to where the masked woman is hidden and to the battlefield?"

“We’re here, the woman is here, and the battlefield is at this end.”

He drew a map using the water, showing where the Gazel River and the Rable River met.

It’s quite a detour.

Wrath frowned as he looked at the map. As he said, to find Merlin, they would have to take a detour through the canyon.

But can’t you use that little Gluemen’s magic to go straight there?

‘That magic can only be used to come to this nest. And it’s Flumen, not Gluemen.’

Flumen’s teleportation magic could only be used for returning. To leave here, they had to move themselves.

“There are many skeletons here, and there’s a really strong human hiding in that river.”

Flumen pointed to the river where Merlin was hidden, trembling his lips.

“I’ve gone there several times, but he doesn’t move.”

"That's to be expected."

The strong human Flumen mentioned was the Specter. He wouldn't move from that area until he found Merlin.

“Don’t worry and guide me.”

Raon lightly patted Flumen’s shoulder and smiled.

“I’ll take care of that bonehead.”

The Specter, who constantly revived and commanded an undead army, was an extremely troublesome existence. It seemed like a good opportunity to completely kill him.

“Now… huh?”

As he was about to say to depart, he felt something missing around his waist. He tried to find the Blade of Requiem, but it was nowhere to be seen.

“Flumen, have you seen a red dagger?”

“Dagger?”

Flumen tilted his head as if he didn’t know what it was.

It must have fallen into the river when you almost died.

Wrath shook his head, saying no one could have paid attention to it in the urgency of the situation.

‘I see.’

Unfortunately, there seemed to be no time to find the Blade of Requiem now. He would have to come back for it after the war.

Raon tied Heavenly Drive to his waist and left Flumen’s house. He rose to the surface where the sunlight was shimmering and nodded to Flumen.

"Please guide me. The masked woman first."

“Yes!”

Flumen nodded and moved forward.

Thump!

Raon kicked off the surface of the water, following Flumen. It felt like the weight had disappeared from his body, and he moved endlessly.

He caught up with Flumen, who was using magic, in an instant.

“Huh?”

Flumen looked up, eyes wide open.

“I-I’m moving at the fastest speed now?”

He trembled his lips in surprise.

“Yes. Keep going at this speed.”

Raon nodded with a faint smile.

Hey, at this speed….

Wrath blinked and leaned closer.

We could probably have a mint chocolate on the way, right?

‘Ha….’

Raon let out a deep sigh. Seeing this stupidity made him realize that Wrath was truly back.

‘Mint chocolate banned for a year.’

What! N-No, he was joking!

‘Two years banned.’

Noooo!

* * *

“Ugh….”

Sylvia sat down on the broken deck after destroying another small warship.

I can’t even get up…

Her stamina and aura were at their limit. Although she could endure with sheer willpower, her exhausted body made it hard to even swing her sword.

Did I push myself too hard?

It was a mistake to rush in without thinking, driven by the desire to seek revenge for Raon without any regard for the consequences. Of course, even if she went back in time, she would do the same thing again.

The union leader, the vice union leader, and Beorn.

Those three were the ones most responsible for Raon's death.

While there was nothing she could do about the union leader, she desperately wanted to kill the vice union leader who ordered the attack on Raon, as well as Beorn, who stabbed Raon. No—she had to kill them.

Where are you?

As Sylvia bit her lip and looked ahead, a giant black ship rose between the warships of the South-North Union.

It was almost the same size as the warship of the South-North Union’s leader, the Azure Wolf.

That ship is…

She swallowed dryly and imbued her eyes with aura. Her vision expanded rapidly, and she saw an old man standing at the end of the black warship.

Grayish-white hair, a solid muscular body, and a spear in his hand. He matched the description of Helgurum, the vice union leader of the South-North Union, whom she had heard about on her way here.

“That bastard….”

Sylvia stood up. Seeing Raon’s enemy ignited a dying ember, causing vast mana to explode from her artificial energy center.

He’s injured too.

Helgurum’s body was still wrapped in bandages from the injuries he sustained after the battle against the Sword Demon, Rector. It was a chance to kill him.

Boom!

Sylvia descended to the river after destroying the warship. Unlike before, she ignored all other ships and headed straight for Helgurum’s warship.

Fwoooosh!

She ignored the endlessly raining magic cannons, arrows, and harpoons.

Amidst the pain of her flesh tearing and bones crushing, she focused solely on running and climbed onto the vice union leader’s warship.

“You are….”

Helgurum narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sylvia’s blood-soaked blonde hair.

“Blonde hair, red eyes. Sylvia Zieghart.”

He twisted his lips into a mocking smile.

“Why are you here? Do you want to follow your son?”

“Helgurum!”

Sylvia screamed a roar-like cry as she charged forward, and the black-haired swordsman on Helgurum’s right jumped forward.

Zeeeeng!

The black-haired swordsman's energy, raised like a wall, roughly pushed Sylvia away.

“Ugh….”

Sylvia was thrown back and spat out blood on the deck.

“Your son knew his place, but you’re even worse.”

Helgurum clicked his tongue.

"Of course."

Sylvia bit her lip until it bled as she stood up.

"My son is much better than someone like me!"

She grabbed her sword with both hands and poured all her remaining aura into it.

Kwang!

But Sylvia’s sword strike was blocked again by the black-haired swordsman.

"Am I invisible to you?"

The black-haired swordsman shook his head with a cold smile.

“Move aside!”

“Haa, since receiving the title of White Cloud, this is the first time I’ve been so disregarded.”

He furrowed his brows as if he couldn’t believe it.

“White Cloud?”

Sylvia’s lips trembled as she repeated the name.

So he’s the White Cloud unit leader…

His presence was so faint that she hadn't noticed.

The leader of the White Cloud unit was a renowned Grandmaster even within the South-North Union. She hadn’t expected him to be guarding Helgurum here instead of being on the central battlefield.

And that wasn't the only problem. Several Master-level individuals, though not Grandmasters, were also beside Helgurum.

Haa…

Sylvia exhaled a ragged breath as she was pushed back.

It’s a mistake.

She hadn’t considered the consequences, blinded by vengeance, facing opponents she couldn’t defeat even with her full strength.

The energy fueled by anger quickly began to dissipate.

“Is that your limit already?”

Helgurum smiled coldly and turned his gaze away.

“If you go now, your son will be waiting for you, so you won’t be lonely.”

He gestured with his hand for the White Cloud unit leader to finish her off.

"Uwaaaaaaa!"

Sylvia gritted her teeth until they nearly broke and charged at Helgurum.

“It’s over.”

As the White Cloud unit leader swung his sword to behead Sylvia, a colorless sword strike flashed.

Boom!

A powerful explosion pushed the White Cloud unit leader back, slamming his back against the railing.

“Wh-Who are you?!”

The White Cloud unit leader trembled as he lifted his gaze—and Karoon Zieghart descended onto the deck.

“Have the honorless trash gathered here?”

Karoon Zieghart’s red eyes fell sharply on the White Cloud unit leader.

“B-Brother.”

“You fool. Step back.”

He furrowed his brow disdainfully and stood before the White Cloud unit leader.

“Y-You are Karoon….”

“Shut your mouth.”

As Karoon’s blade flickered, blood spurted from the White Cloud unit leader’s chest.

“Don’t call my name with your filthy mouth.”

He lowered his blade gracefully, as if sipping tea alone.

“Ugh!”

The White Cloud unit leader stepped back, clutching the wound on his chest.

“Like moths to a flame, you follow just to be killed.”

Helgurum stepped forward with a twisted smile, seemingly pleased.

“Your face is as ugly as your personality.”

Karoon squinted his eyes as if looking at something filthy and disgusting.

"The brats of Zieghart all have foul mouths!"

It was when Helgurum was about to thrust his spear at Karoon—

Slaaash!

Aris, who had been protecting house Zieghart’s swordsmen from the fight between Glenn and the South-North Union leader, tore through space and appeared on the bow of Helgurum’s warship.

“Hey.”

Aris looked down at Helgurum with twisted lips.

“Your brat did it, didn’t he?”

She exuded a killing intent so intense it pushed the river back, drawing her sword.

“Aris Zieghart….”

Helgurum wrinkled his nose, unable to easily dismiss Aris.

“Where’s that bastard Beorn? Is it you?”

Aris looked at the White Cloud unit leader with a fierce glare.

“It’s not me….”

The White Cloud unit leader trembled as if overwhelmed by Aris’ immense energy.

“Bring that bastard here. I’ll chew you and that Beorn guy up, leaving not even bones.”

“Beorn isn’t here.”

Helgurum shook his head slowly.

“After assassinating Raon Zieghart, he didn’t return to the South-North Union.”

He shook his head, indicating that Beorn wasn’t even seen in the South-North Union.

“Aha! Are you hiding him?”

Aris chuckled and shook her head.

"But it’s not a problem. We came here to destroy the entire South-North Union. Hiding him is pointless. We'll find them all and kill them."

She gestured to Karoon and Sylvia behind her.

"Sylvia. Can you still do it? Revenge must be taken personally."

"Yes. I can do it."

Sylvia, biting her blood-stained lips, stood next to Aris and Karoon.

"Let's show them how crazy the siblings of Zieghart are!"

Aris charged at Helgurum, smashing the deck. Sylvia nodded and followed her.

"Leave me out of it."

Karoon, frowning, stabbed his sword toward the White Cloud Unit leader.

* * *

The western canyon of the Rable River.

The canyon, which should have been filled with surging waves, was now crawling with undead monsters made of white bones.

The undead constantly turned their gazes as if searching for something, surrounding the entire canyon.

“Damn it!”

The Specter, who had been watching the undead, ground his teeth and struck his fist down.

Merlin.

Where on earth are you!

After Merlin disappeared like a bubble, they had searched the entire river but couldn't find even a trace of her.

Gargoyles and wraiths flew in the sky, skeletons roamed the land, and sharkmauls and eviars swam in the river—yet not a single hair of Merlin was found.

All they discovered was the broken half of the old woman's mask Merlin had worn.

I should have captured Raon Zieghart...

Merlin was probably quietly healing her wounds, waiting for him to disappear.

If he had captured Raon, he could have lured that damned witch out—and the thought of Raon's death still left a bitter taste.

“Damn it!”

Unable to contain his frustration, the Specter struck his chest. Just then, a signal came from the sharkmaul in the river.

If this is another pointless thing, I'll tear its head off.

Clenching his fist, he connected his vision with that of the sharkmaul.

Whoosh!

In the empty river, a blue light droplet floated up.

Why... wait!

He was about to turn his head, thinking it was useless, but then remembered the droplet that had appeared when Merlin vanished.

Looking again—it had the same color as that droplet.

Found it! There it is!

He didn’t know how she’d been hiding there, but he was sure Merlin was there.

“I finally caught you, bitch.”

The Specter grinned broadly. As he was about to ride the bone dragon into the river where Merlin was, he heard a faint sound of someone walking on the surface of the water.

Splash.

Unintentionally, the Specter turned his gaze toward the source of the serene sound.

From the end of the canyon, a blond-haired, red-eyed swordsman approached.

He walked on the water as if it were solid ground, without creating even the smallest ripple. It felt as if he didn’t exist in this world.

“Raon Zieghart?”

The man who was rumored to be dead was walking toward the place where Merlin was hiding—perfectly fine.

“Kuhahahahahaha!”

The Specter grabbed his head and burst into hysterical laughter.

“Great! I can devour both of you lovebirds together.”

With a snicker, he gestured, and the undead monsters roaming the sky, land, and river swarmed toward him.

Whoosh!

Not satisfied with that, the Specter summoned a second bone dragon from his subspace.

Roooar!

The bone red dragon, wrapped in dark mana, spread its massive wings and soared into the sky.

“Faking your own death—still as cunning as ever.”

Floating in the air with two bone dragons, the Specter looked down at Raon and smirked.

“Did you hide Merlin as well?”

“...”

Raon only stared at the water below without answering.

“Fine. I had no intention of leaving you alone anyway! I’ll turn you and Merlin into puppets that torture each other!”

With a flick of his finger, the army of undead swarming the sky, land, and river charged at Raon.

Whooooom!

Knowing Raon’s strength, the Specter didn’t let his guard down and ordered the bone dragons to unleash their breaths.

Ruuuuumble!

The two bone dragons unleashed their breath imbued with dark mana simultaneously.

Step. Step.

Despite the advancing horde of undead and the incoming breath attacks, Raon did not panic. Instead, he moved forward and drew Heavenly Drive.

Chiiiiing!

Heavenly Drive advanced as a dazzling beam of light.

Every time the golden line, imbued with the flames of the sun, cut from left to right, the undead horde in its path was completely obliterated—leaving not a single bone fragment behind.

Clang!

The sword strike of Heavenly Drive even split the dark breaths, and as it brushed past the Specter—

—his head fell cleanly off.

“If you want to kill me…”

Raon lowered his bloodless sword as he watched the Specter’s body sink into the river.

“…bring a real dragon.”

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Irving]

[Proofreader – Mayank]