Chapter 737

–Kyaaaaaaah!

"Seriously, shut up before I slap you, Nadine bread."

Raon pushed Wrath away, who was letting out shrieks like a cat, and carefully reviewed the reward message.

[You have accomplished an impossible feat.]

[You have achieved a feat that will change the history of the continent.]

[All skill scores increase by 50 points.]

[The rank of the <Backstab> trait increases by two levels.]

[The rank of the <Perception of the Snow Flower> trait increases.]

[The rank of the <Blade of Death> trait increases by two levels.]

[The rank of the <Flame Overcoming Death> trait increases.]

The first reward that appeared was a 50-point increase in all skill scores, followed by rank increases for the traits used this time.

–Fifty! Another fifty!

Wrath frowned, hitting the message with his round fist.

–It’s giving too much!

"This time, however, it was worth receiving it."

If they hadn't revealed Derus's identity at the Six Kings Conference, he would have used the power of House Robert to cause a massive-scale event. They had prevented something that could have killed thousands, no, tens of thousands. It was a well-deserved reward.

"The increase in Perception of the Snow Flower and Backstab must be for defeating the Ghoul King."

The two traits seemed to have improved because they defeated the Ghoul King through assassination rather than direct confrontation.

"The death-related traits are obviously because of Derus."

The increase in the ranks of <Blade of Death> and <Flame Overcoming Death> was due to cutting through the aura of death to reveal Derus's identity. Who knew that trash would end up helping him?

"And lastly..."

Raon reviewed the reward he received thanks to Wrath's acknowledgement.

[You have received the acknowledgement of <Wrath>.]

[Additional rewards are granted.]

[All skill scores increase by 20 points.]

[The <Divine Power Resistance> trait is created.]

Wrath must have really enjoyed Uriel's distorted expression, as he increased all skill scores by 20 points.

However, what surprised him wasn't those points, but the <Divine Power Resistance> trait underneath them.

–Divine Power Resistance isn’t right!

Wrath gritted his teeth so hard that he made a grinding noise.

–Why give this little brat an ability that even the highest-ranking demons in Devildom barely possess?!

He shook his head vigorously, unable to accept it.

–At this rate, only soft bones that slowly melt away from the true form of this king will remain!

Wrath vented his frustration as if the system were a living being.

"Is this trait really that amazing?"

Raon tilted his head, looking at Divine Power Resistance.

–Of course it is!

Wrath shot his head up.

–Just as demons are enveloped in demonic energy, Angels are enveloped in divine power! And Archangel-level beings spread vast amounts of divine power by their very existence! Don’t you remember how humans froze like puppets with cut strings in front of Uriel?

He frowned, explaining that just like a Demon King's demonic energy, Archangels use divine power to directly pressure human souls.

–Even old Nadine bread and other Transcendent Warriors can’t break free from the influence of divine power, but you, despite being so pathetically weak, are gaining resistance to divine power. Of course it’s amazing!

Wrath yelled, asking why Raon was so lucky.

–Gaining resistance to divine power right after meeting an Angel is probably a first in all dimensions! Even I only got it after fighting in countless damn wars!

He pounded his chest, saying that he was more than irritated and was now furious.

"Now that you mention it, you're right."

Raon smiled, looking at Wrath who had turned his head away in a huff. Seeing him vent his frustration, it seemed like a trait that would be of great benefit.

"Since we'll be facing Angels from now on."

Seeing Archangel Uriel helping Derus, there was a high possibility of fighting other Angels. He needed to develop this trait for that day.

"Thank you."

After thanking Wrath, Raon looked down at the Phantom King, whose lips were trembling in pain. He looked like an ordinary old man, but even with his core shattered, his eyes were still terrifyingly piercing. They were unsettling eyes that would make any criminal cower just by looking at them.

"How does it feel to see your family burn?"

"It's... it's not my family..."

The Phantom King shook his head, biting his lip until it bled.

"I'm just an employee."

"For an employee, you seem pretty upset."

Raon looked down at the Phantom King, who could no longer hide his emotions, and smiled slightly.

"Don't get arrogant. Lord Derus will avenge me..."

"No, Derus will have a death even more terrible than yours."

Revealing a murderous intent that chilled even his own spine, Raon crushed the Phantom King's throat.

"Guh... ack!"

The Phantom King spilled tears from his wrinkled eyes, overwhelmed by pain and fear.

"I promise you. Derus will die more miserably than anyone else in this world."

"Ah..."

The Phantom King's eyes trembled, seeming more concerned about Derus's death than his own, before he breathed his last. Raon searched the Phantom King's body again. Discarding useless weapons and assassination poisons, a thin book titled Phantom King Manual fell out.

"Phantom King Manual?"

Upon inspection, it was a martial arts manual containing the Phantom King's assassination techniques and footwork.

"The footwork might be useful."

While the assassination techniques weren't necessary, the footwork seemed like it could be useful. Raon tucked the Phantom King Manual into his pocket and returned to the front of House Robert.

The Six Kings' martial artists were gathered, seemingly appreciating the collapsed and burning House Robert, and in front of them lay countless subdued swordsmen and members of House Robert's family.

"Uwaaaaah!"

"Our... our family!"

"No..."

"Please, forgive us! We are innocent!"

Those who hadn't been bound by Derus continued to lament, unable to accept the situation. They now had to examine each person to distinguish who should die and who should live. Raon sighed deeply as he looked at the people in despair.

"I'd like to do it myself, but..."

If he participated directly, he could quickly discern friend from foe, but if he stood out more here, he could really reveal his identity. For now, it was time to leave it to Federick or Glenn and take a step back.

"I've returned."

Raon brushed the dust and blood off his clothes and bowed his head to Glenn, who was standing in front of the flames. Glenn looked at Raon with complex eyes before turning around.

"Hey!"

Martha ran from the right and pushed her face forward.

"Where did the so-called division leader go, and why are you only returning now... sir!"

She frowned as if she were displeased, but still added "sir" at the end.

"It didn't make much sense to fight anyway, since it was a Six Kings alliance."

Burren shrugged, saying that he didn't have much to do.

"I was just in the back."

Runaan blinked, saying that he just protected the frost swordsmen.

"I, I did too!"

Dorian scratched his head, smiling shyly.

"You're all so soft on Raon."

Martha snorted, looking at the smiling Light Wind division.

"Raon moved alone because he trusts me. It means he leaves it to me anytime."

Rimmer pounded his chest as if to say that he would leave it to him anytime.

"But what about that old man?"

He narrowed his eyes, looking at the Phantom King's corpse in Raon's hand.

"He was an assassin who killed people on the outskirts. I chased him down and caught him when he tried to escape."

Raon dropped the Ghoul King's corpse in front of everyone.

"An assassin?"

"Yes. He called himself the Phantom King."

Raon mentioned the Phantom King's name to make Derus's danger more apparent.

"Phantom King...?"

"If it's the Phantom King! He's one of the best assassins of the previous generation!"

"He's not just a simple assassin! They say he was even a Grand Master in martial prowess during his active days!"

"You tracked down and killed a monster like that?"

"He's really crazy..."

"I thought I'd never be surprised by what the Light Wind division leader does, but this is..."

The Six Kings' martial artists and mages looked at Raon with trembling eyes, as if they had encountered a monster beyond common sense.

"If it's the Phantom King..."

Roenn approached with round eyes and examined the Phantom King's face.

"He once came to kill me and ran away. He was so confident that he didn't even hide his face. It's exactly the same, minus the wrinkles."

He nodded, confirming the Phantom King's face.

"Even I couldn't catch him because he was so fast. You're incredible."

Roenn laughed out loud, saying that Raon had done something truly remarkable.

"That monster..."

"As expected, he didn't move without a reason."

"He's so handsome today."

Martha twisted her lips as if she were stunned, Burren exhaled in admiration as if he had expected it, and Runaan nodded calmly. Glenn turned his back to the sinking House Robert. He raised his Heavenly Tremor sword as he met the eyes of the many gathered there.

"In the name of the Six Kings. No, in the name of the Five Kings, I declare. From this moment on, Derus Robert and all those who bear the name Robert are enemies of the continent."

Glenn's shout had a great dignity that seemed to spread not only across this coast, but throughout the entire continent. Hundreds of birds and image magic soared into the sky, conveying his voice and his anger to heaven and earth.

"The dream I've longed for even in my sleep has finally come true."

The vow he made at birth had been fulfilled after 20 years.

The feeling of satisfaction at achieving his dream gave new strength to his tired body and soul.

"However..."

This isn't the end, it's the beginning. Derus's plans haven't stopped yet. He had to keep following him and destroy everything of his.

"Especially Derus's neck, I won't hand it over."

Even if it were Glenn, he had no intention of handing over Derus's neck. He would ascend to Transcendence and cut his body and soul himself. Raon gritted his teeth at his deep anger as he took a new resolution in his heart.

* * *

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"So the Phantom King is dead."

Derus Robert frowned, rubbing his temples.

"Dead...?"

Kubara widened his eyes as if to ask what he meant.

"The Fury Worm signal I placed in the Phantom King's heart has been cut off."

Derus let out a deep sigh.

"Stupid old man. I told him to just bring the Soul-Cutting Orb."

He gnashed his molars, saying that he had given the Phantom King too much freedom. Kubara also lowered his head, seeming to understand the situation now.

"If the Phantom King in the cave is dead..."

"Yes. It's Raon Zieghart."

Derus frowned, brushing his blood-soaked bangs.

"It can only be him."

The Phantom King was supposed to bring the Soul-Cutting Orb imbued with the blood and resentment of the dying children. If the one in the cave died, the culprit could only be Raon Zieghart.

"Nothing is going right."

His identity was revealed, House Robert fell, and he even lost the Soul-Cutting Orb that could create a large number of Water Demon Hosts. His head felt like it was going to explode with anger and frustration.

"Raon Zieghart!"

Derus finally couldn't hold back and slammed his fist against the rock he was leaning on.
Crack!
The rock crumbled into dust at the contact of his fist.

"I'm sorry. I should have gone to retrieve it myself..."

Kubara didn’t move from his spot even when the rock fragments fell on his head.

"It doesn't matter, just report the situation."

"...Bardiel and Beorn are moving to the safe house. Although the damage is significant, thanks to our preparations, we have preserved our main forces."

He bowed his head, saying that the strongest of House Robert—the Ziun Division, the White Frost Division, and the Ghost Demon Division—had survived.

"When will they arrive at the safe house?"

"They should arrive around noon tomorrow, as they need to take a detour."

Derus let out a low groan from the pain of the wound on his chest.

"Why is this damn wound healing so slowly? Not even Glenn's sword wounds were this bad..."

He bit his lip, looking at the incomprehensible wound.

"Uriel!"

Derus looked up at Uriel, who was standing at the edge of the cliff.

"You know, right? Raon Zieghart. What the hell is he?"

"I also have a question."

Uriel looked at Derus with an expression as if the world had crumbled.

"Do I look like a dove or a live chicken?"

He asked an absurd question with elegant eyes.

"What? What are you saying..."

Derus widened his eyes as he saw Uriel’s distorted expression.

"I asked if I look like a dove or a live chicken."

Uriel frowned, his wings folded.

"This madman..."

Derus exhaled sharply, as if he hadn't expected this question.

"You there."

Uriel called out to Kubara instead of Derus, who didn’t respond.

"Ah, yes..."

Kubara bowed his head, his lips trembling.

"Do you also see me as a dove or a live chicken?"

"No. You are enveloped in the most noble light, more than any other being."

He lowered his gaze after answering sincerely.

"I know that too. I am different from you humans. But that Raon called me a dove. That ugly word won't leave my mind."

Uriel swallowed, touching the trumpet on his waist.

"Stop talking nonsense! He must have mocked you forcefully!"

Derus slammed his hand down, saying to stop with the nonsense.

"Just tell me what's connected to him. What is that ugly power you mentioned..."

"It's a Demon King."

Uriel raised his eyelids with a calmer expression.

"...A Demon King?"

"Yes. And not just any Demon King, but Wrath, the Monarch of Frost, who oversees anger."

He frowned, saying that the power Raon used was Wrath’s authority.

"Wrath... So that’s it! That’s why!"

Derus opened his lips wide, looking at the wounds on his chest and the back of his hand.

"Yes! That explains his talent and his memories!"

He exclaimed that he had finally found the being behind Raon.

"And although it could be my imagination..."

Uriel turned his back to Derus, who was bursting into laughter. He exhaled softly, looking at his own chest where the wound was slowly healing.

"The power of the Rings too."

* * *

Meanwhile, the Five Kings’ leaders immediately held a Five Kings Conference after destroying House Robert.

"Derus Robert was somewhat prepared for this. He pulled out quite a few troops before we arrived."

Roseline, the leader of the Black Market, continued speaking, pointing at the list of House Robert’s personnel.

"The Ziun Division, the White Frost Division, and the Ghost Demon Division escaped to the sea first, while others bought time while these forces retreated."

She let out a hollow laugh, saying that they were tough humans.

"How many of their forces escaped?"

King Lecross raised his hand and asked.

"About half of Robert’s forces, to put it briefly."

Roseline sighed, saying that they were all strong individuals.

"How’s the pursuit going?"

Glenn narrowed his eyes, looking at the continental map.

"They disappeared without using a Dimensional Gate. It seems that they used that divine power."

Roseline shook her head, saying that the pursuit wouldn’t be easy.

"The good news is..."

She smiled, pointing at House Robert marked with an X.

"We prevented the other half from flowing to Derus."

"Correct. We should look at what we gained instead of what we lost."

Chamber nodded, agreeing with Roseline’s words.

"Derus must have been preparing for war, given the amount of resources he had. That will be a great help in our future battles."

She moved her fingers, saying that they had obtained food, weapons, equipment, and even elixirs.

"Our agents are searching all over the continent, so don’t worry too much."

Roseline lightly struck her chest, as if to say to just give her time. After relaying some more data, she sat down.

"Let’s end part one here for now."

As Chamber clapped, saying that her head hurt, all the neutral faction leaders who had been sitting left. Only the Five Kings’ leaders and Roseline remained.

"It seems that the titles of the Six Kings and the Five Demons keep changing lately, but for now, we can settle for the Five Kings and the Five Demons."

Chamber bit her lip, as if she were annoyed.

"Derus Robert. It’s all his fault."

Ogram shook his clenched fist, seeming still upset.

"Why, why did he do it..."

Larian tilted her head, as if she were curious about the reason.

"At this point, the reason doesn’t matter."

King Lecross shook his head, saying that they were just beings who needed to be taken down.

"It’s a little awkward to say this here, but there’s something we need to address."

Chamber raised a finger as she created a mana barrier to prevent the sound from escaping.

"What is it?"

"The relationship between Raon Zieghart and Derus Robert."

Her gaze went deep into Glenn’s.

"You must be the most curious, old man?"

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – MurimTang]

[Proofreader – Mayank]