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Raon went to the medical department and healed his injuries. The wounds on his bones and muscles werenât 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.
Letâs check out the bead ice cream shop before returning. It might be open now!
âYou heard the manager. He said he was going for a drink.â
B-but just in caseâŠ
âConsidering how excited he was, the shop isnât going to open today.â
The manager was running to the pub with his companions, his face red.
He might end up drinking so much that he wouldnât be able to open the shop the next day.
âNow thenâŠâ
N-now what?
Wrath was full of anticipation as he looked at Raon.
Sadly for him, Raon wasnât about to say anything about the bead ice cream.
âLetâs check the messages out on the way back.â đđżeeđđČđŻđ§ođel.đođ
You fuck!
Raon loaded the messages while enjoying Wrathâs crumpled face.
[Youâve 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?
Wrathâs eyes widened upon seeing the message about the title.
Why are you even giving him a title for defeating a sloppy guy like that?!
âHe wasnât exactly sloppy.â
The King of Essence only needs his fingerâno, his toe! No! The dirt under his toenail is enough to kill him!
âSure, sure.â
Raon shook his hand and checked the titleâs description.
The One with a Splendid Standing
A title given to a warrior who doesnât 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.
âThis is pretty gooââ
Kyaaah!
When Raon was about to say that the title was nice, Wrath let out a weird scream like a bird.
You stupid system! Itâs because you keep giving away everything that he doesnât yield to powerful opponents! He wouldâve been intimidated and hid in a corner if only you didnât do that!
Wrath swung his fist into the air, saying that it was the systemâs fault for giving away so much, and that heâd done nothing worthy of the title.
âHeâs not exactly wrong.â
Raon chuckled. He wouldâve been forced to yield no matter how determined he was if he wasnât powerful enough.
Since it was thanks to the system that he could keep fighting in many of the battles, what Wrath was saying wasnât completely wrong.
âBut whatâs the point of that? Iâve already received the rewards.â
That system will be discarded the moment the King of Essence recovers his bodyâŠ
Another set of messages appeared in front of his eyes, while Wrath was blowing his top.
[Youâve been recognized by Wrath.]
[All stats have increased by 2.]
Wh-when did the King of Essence ever recognize him?! This really is bullshiâ
âAh!â
Raon clapped his hands while looking at the message.
âYou told me good job earlier because those who donât cherish their subordinates need to be screwed over. That mustâve counted as recognition.â
Raon told him about what Wrath had said when the sword duel ended.
Not like thiiisss!
* * *
UghâŠ
Wrath groaned like a growling beast while twisting his plump cotton candy body.
He was more irritated by the fact that he couldnât have any ice cream than over losing the stats.
âIt couldnât be helped. Itâs preposterous for a guest to demand the manager to open the door when he wants a break.â
Make it happen so it wonât be anymore! Thatâs what you say all the time!
One month! Itâs 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.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon wanted to respond, âDo you even need to ask? Itâs because you are a demon kingâ, 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 itâs become even worse after meeting you!
Wrathâs fist, which was as round as a full moon, trembled violently as he glared at Raon.
You mustâve taken away his luck on top of his abilities!
âNow youâre exaggerating.â
Shut up! Thereâs no way heâd be in this kind of situation every single time if it wasnât the case!
âHmmâŠâ
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at Wrathâs face, which was as red as strawberry cotton candy.
âNow that I think about it⊠I wasnât lucky in my life before.â
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 heâd almost died.
âAnd that also ended in an unlucky way.â
He ended up losing his head because the brainwashingâs removal was discovered. That was why it couldnât exactly be called a lucky occurrence.
The same went for his new life. Heâd never really thought that he was especially lucky, but everything started to go well after meeting the doormat that looked like cotton candy.
âMaybe itâs true.â
It was true that it was starting from Wrathâs appearance that everything went so wellâthe annex building was filled with smiles, and he got stronger many times faster than his predictions.
When he thought about it, Wrath shouldâve 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 couldnât match up to him.
âI canât let go of this goose.â
Raon clenched his fist while looking at Wrath.
What are you looking at?!
Wrath was still angry as he frowned at him.
âIâll go there as fast as possible tomorrow.â
Hmm?
âIâll 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.â
R-really? But whatâs with that change of mind?
He secretly gained distance from Raon, feeling anxious about the sudden change.
This is strange! Thereâs no way you would obediently go to the shop!
âNo, I have no ulterior motive. Itâs just that youâve been waiting all alongâŠâ
Raon shook his hand and entered the annex buildingâs garden.
A rustling sound could be heard from the bushes on the right, and a white weasel popped out.
âYouâŠâ
It was the same weasel that Merlin had used last time. There was no way Raon wouldnât recognize it since heâd brushed its fur for more than three hours straight.
âWhy are you here?â
He didnât expect to see it around the annex building since he thought it lived near the main building.
âIâm sorry, but the deal is already over. You should ask someone else to brush your furâŠâ
âDonât be like that and do it again for me.â
Raon shook his hand and was about to continue towards the annex building, but the weasel spoke with Merlinâs voice.
âYouâŠâ
Raonâs chin trembled as he looked at the weasel.
âWhy are you even here?!â
Merlin had never possessed the same animal twice before. He couldnât understand why he was hearing her voice from the same weasel.
âWe spent a great night together.â
Merlin twisted her tail while rubbing her hands. It was a ridiculous sight, but her cheeks were slightly red.
âFeeling your touch for over three hours was the greatest happiness Iâve felt in my life.â
She excitedly licked her lips while stroking her fur.
âD-did you lie to me?â
âIt wasnât a lie. This child really wanted you to brush its fur. Itâs just that I shared the feeling of it.â
Merlin said that her possession magic had improved by itself because sheâd been using it too much.
âI can return to the same animal as long as they want it. This child mustâve also enjoyed your touch.â
âImprovedâŠâ
Raonâs jaw dropped as he looked at Merlinâs happy smile.
âItâs not completely impossible.â
Merlin was a genius who managed to develop that stalking magic that was incomprehensible to anyone in the world.
Considering her obsession, it wasnât impossible for her to improve the spell.
âDamn itâŠâ
Regardless of the case, the fact that heâd brushed Merlin for over three hours have him goosebumps.
âTodayâs sword duel was a great spectacle.â
Merlin nodded while straightening her back.
âI heard it was your second time. Itâs such a shame, I wish I had seen the first one as well.â
She smiled, saying that she wouldâve definitely recorded with magic if sheâd seen that.
âRecord it? Wait, donât tell meâŠâ
âYeah, of course I did.â
âWait, but you canât use spells in that form.â
âI can use my lifespan.â
Merlin tilted her head as if it were an obvious question.
âAhâŠâ
Raonâs jaw dropped.
âShe doesnât have any common sense.â
Countless people in the great training ground were shocked by him, but he didnât think heâd be shocked himself.
AckâŠ
Wrath was also dumbfounded by that fact, his eyes trembling.
Sheâs the real madwoman. Sheâs the craziest in the world!
Apparently, even his stalker in Devildom that heâd mentioned before wasnât as bad as her.
âIâm going to rewatch it a thousand times per day!â
Merlin smiled, saying that she needed to watch it a thousand times at least to feel at ease.
âUhhâŠâ
Raon swallowed nervously while feeling the fear piercing through his skin.
âI came to say goodbye. We wonât be able to meet for a while because I have a mission. Heâs really annoying.â
She clicked her tongue, saying that the Fallen kept making more trouble for her after the Specter was defeated.
âWhat kind of mission is it?â
âI have to capture some monsters. He said he would do some experiments before making a griffon lordâs helmet.â
It was important information, but Merlin told him about it without hesitation.
âDo you already have someone to wear it?â
âIâm not sure about that. The Fallen takes care of it.â
She smiled while murmuring that she wasnât interested in anything other than Raon. He seriously couldnât be careless in front of her.
âWe should be able to meet again around next year. Itâs not that long, but it will be long because the time flows slower when I canât see you.â
Merlin said goodbye with a saddened voice.
âAnd this childâs requestâŠâ
âYou arenât lying, right?â
âYeah, Iâm really going to leave this time.â
She shook her head mildly.
âYou know the request, right?â
âIs it that thing againâŠ?â
âYes. It wants you to brush its fur. But it wonât take as long as before because it was my request back then.â
Merlin gathered her hands together while sticking her tongue out.
âWait, hey!â
âKyu.â
Raon was trying to complain to Merlin, but the weasel walked up to him while letting out a small sound.
Its eyes didnât have any focus, but Raon examined it from top to bottom just in case.
âMerlin?â
âKyu?â
âYou arenât Merlin, right?â
âKyu.â
The weasel shook its hands up and down, urging him to start brushing already.
âHaaâŠâ
Raon sighed and reached for his subspace pocket. He took out a small comb from inside.
âI prepared it just in case, but I didnât think I would need to use it so quickly.â
Raon shook his head and started to brush the weasel.
It slowly closed its eyes while letting out a small sound of satisfaction.
âHaa.â
Raon sighed briefly while brushing the weaselâs fur.
âIs this really happening?â
âWhy am I even doing this?â
* * *
* * *
Glenn slowly raised his glass. He took a sip of the navy liquor with an extremely satisfied smile on his face.
âHuh!â
Federick was standing in front of him, and he gasped at the sight.
âI canât 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?â
âWhat are you talking about? Iâm the same as always.â
Glenn casually put down the glass as if nothing had happened.
âThen stop moving the corners of your lips. They are twitching so damn much, itâs like a fish that just got caught!â
Federick frowned while pointing at Glennâs mouth, which was curved into a smile.
âAhem!â
Glenn cleared his throat and suppressed his lips with his hand.
âLeave him alone.â
Rimmer shook his hand.
âIt will be difficult for him to control it because my discipleâwho also happens to be my lordâs grandsonâwas amazing today.â
He emphasized the disciple part with a grin on his face.
âTsk.â
Glenn briefly clicked his tongue in displeasure because Rimmer was calling Raon his disciple.
âIâm not telling you to stop showing how happy you are. I just want you to show it to Raon. Itâs so frustrating to watch.â
âThatâs true, and we kept telling him, but he never listens.â
âI agree.â
âHuhuhu!â
Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn nodded in agreement.
âWait, 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!â
Federick ground his teeth.
âYou stubborn old man!â
He got so angry because Glenn was pretending he wasnât feeling anything after he kept waking him up every time he did something with Raon.
âWhat are you talking about?â
Glenn extended his hand towards his glass, saying that it had never happened. His fingers looked like they were trembling slightly.
âHaa, itâs pointless. Heâs so pig-headed.â
âI agree with the gambling addict for once.â
Even Sheryl shook her head, saying that it wasnât going to work.
âHuhuhu.â
Roenn was the only one who was still laughing like he was enjoying the situation.
âRoenn.
âYes, my lord.â
Roenn came in front of Glenn and bowed upon hearing his call.
âDid you write it down?â
âOf course I did.â
They smiled while talking about something that couldnât be understood by the others.
âSo, what was it for today?â
âI believe âDonât hide my sky.â was the best line of them all.â
âI agree. But donât you think âDeath is a luxury for you.â was pretty good as well?â
âThat was great, too. I already wrote it down, of course.â
âAnd the sketch?â
âOf course.â
Roenn pretended to draw in the air.
âWait, donât tell me. Isnât that what Raon said today?â
Rimmerâs jaw dropped as he stared at Glenn.
âHaa⊠Yes, it is.â
Sheryl sighed and smacked her forehead.
âHuhâŠâ
Federick gasped at the ridiculous sight.
âWait, what are you even trying to do? Do you want to show it off or not? Make up your mind!â
The audience chamberâs door opened after a blunt knock echoed while he was screaming.
âI apologize for the visit at this late hour.â
The leader of Shadow Agents, Chad, was the visitor. He quickly walked up to them and bowed to the four.
âItâs fine. Whatâs the matter?â
Glenn shook his hand, asking him for the reason for his visit.
âItâs difficult to believe, butâŠâ
Chad handed out the document heâd brought with trembling hands.
ââŠis coming to Zieghart.â
* * *
Raon brushed the weaselâs 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?
âOf course I am.â
Raon nodded firmly.
âBecause the duel and training are two different stories.â
Heâd managed to feel the Azure Sky Swordâs flow with his body and mind during the sword duel.
It was necessary to immediately practice in order to grasp that sensationâlike reviewing a lesson.
He could only return to the annex building at midnight because of that, but the result was rather satisfying.
âIâve gained a lot today.â
In addition to getting closer to the Azure Sky Sword, heâd 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.
âIâm still rather tired though.â
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 Judielâs signal.
This feels like a bad signâŠ
âEnter.â
The door opened and Judiel entered before she lowered her head. She was slightly stiff even though her expression had always been composed.
âWhatâs the matter? Was there an order from Karoon?â
Raon thought that it mustâve been because of Karoonâs orders since heâd looked so displeased in the training ground.
âItâs a different matter from him.â
Judiel shook her head.
âA different matter?â
âYes. The Thespian Emperor is currently coming to Zieghart.â
ââŠWho is coming again?â
Raon widened his mouth. The towel hanging on his shoulder dropped to the ground.
âThe head of White Whale from the Five Divine Orders, the Thespian Emperor.â
Judiel swallowed nervously and continued.
âSheâs currently coming to Zieghart on her own.â