Whap.
The drops of blood freely floating around the white page created a grotesque figure.
It looked like a human, but it wasnât. The face was dark, with a frightening glimmer shining from its eyes, and long horns, spiraled like a turban shell, protruded from its head.
The blood came to a halt in the middle of drawing the strange figure. It started to tremble violently, like a terrified animal, and struggled to escape from the page.
Rip!
The blood concentrated on the corners. The paper was eventually torn apart from the intensifying vibration, and the blood flowed outside the booklet.
Blood seeped between the severed pages. It looked like a window smashed by a bloody hand.
âAhâŠâ
Ariel swallowed nervously while looking at the frightening pattern engraved on the booklet.
Her hands trembled in fright as a chill ran down her spine.
ââŠHow is that even possible?â
The booklet was called the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon.
It was an ancient artifact that allowed her to foresee heavenâs flow by inserting humans between the flow of the sun and moon, and Raonâs future shouldâve been written like a song if it had functioned correctly.
The blood drawing a picture and tearing the page by rampaging around had never happened before.
âIt looked terrifiedâŠâ
Instead of writing the song of prophecy, the blood was afraid of the existence called Raon and rampaged to escape from the paper.
Her hair stood on end, for even the original owner of the book had never mentioned anything like that happening.
Ariel raised her bloody hand and turned the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moonâs page back.
âIâve even read about Glenn Zieghart. How is it possible that I canât read Raon Zieghart?â
She had used the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon before going to Zieghart in order to predict what would happen there and decide on her course of action.
She couldnât believe that she couldnât see Raonâs picture when the book had properly shown the lyrics about Glennâs reaction.
âMoreover, I was focused on Raon Zieghart.â
She wasnât trying to learn about the continentâs future, nor was she investigating the Heavenly Demon.
Her target was just a greenhorn who was still a Master, yet the result was far too surprising, and she couldnât think straight.
âHaaâŠâ
Ariel exhaled a rough breath and read the lyrics that were written before her visit at Zieghart.
âAccording to this prophecy, I shouldâve left that place with Zieghartâs name supporting me.â
Raon Zieghart. He was the bastard who had ruined everything.
Because the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon had never failed to predict the future before, sheâd thought it was because of Glenn Zieghartâs transcendental power.
âBut that wasnât the case.â
Raonâs visit had caused an issue in the conference, where she shouldâve been able to absorb the neutral factions. The fighting contest that shouldâve given her fame only ended up raising Raonâs reputation to the sky.
The reason the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moonâs prediction ended up being wrong was because it couldnât read what Raon Zieghart was hiding.
Grit.
Ariel loudly ground her teeth.
âOf course the future changed. Heaven's flow couldnât read him.â
She usually used the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon to predict the overall situation and prepare for the future. That was why it was normal that everything had gone awry since she couldnât read about Raon.
âBut why am I unable to see his future?â
The Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon was capable of reading even Glenn Zieghartâs future, someone who was called the strongest in the continent. That was why she couldnât believe that it couldnât read Raon, who was nothing but dirt in comparison.
âAnd what was that demonic shape that appeared in the beginning, and the reason even the blood was terrified?â
She was frustrated because she couldnât get any answers.
âDonât tell meâŠâ
Ariel bit her lip and pressed on the table.
âHe is also going to influence the next incident.â
Getting the Six Kingsâ name on her back, absorbing the neutral factions, and gaining a reputation through the fighting tournament was important, but the biggest incident hadnât happened yet.
Since the Five Divine Orders were finally going to be settled after that incident, she couldnât afford any issue for that.
Ariel locked her fingers and narrowed her eyes.
âShould I kill him now?â
Killing him before any problems could occur seemed to be the best solution, but it was too dangerous. It was going to end in vain if Glenn made his move.
âAlright. I donât need to push myself that hard.â
Unlike the previous incidents, might was the most important factor for the next one.
Since Raon hadnât even reached the realm of Grandmaster, there was practically zero chance that he could mess up the upcoming event.
âBut it could still happenâŠâ
Ariel sighed while pressing her palm to her forehead.
âHaaâŠâ
She massaged her heated temple while chewing on her lip.
âHe really is a troublesome guy.â
* * *
Zieghart
Lordâs Manor
Audience Chamber
âThis damned bastard did it again!â
Glenn furrowed his brow while reading the report. His hands were trembling violently from his intense anger as he held the document.
âHmmâŠâ
Chad, who had brought the report to him, swallowed nervously as he watched Glenn.
âThe Light Wind division leader mustâve played another prank.â
Roenn smiled gently. It looked like he could guess the reason for his anger.
âWhatâs written this time?â
âThereâs a single line. Itâs written âRaonâs mess was a great success! The Thespian Emperor is so disappointed! Wow!ââŠâ
Glenn closed his eyes and burnt the report he was holding without even leaving ashes behind.
âThe exclamation marks are the most irritating part.â
âHuhuhu!â
Roenn laughed bitterly. He sounded like he didnât expect it to be that bad.
âIâm wondering what the most satisfying way to kill him would be.â
Glenn sighed and tapped on the throneâs armrest.
âBut itâs still better than when he used to live like a corpse, isnât it?â
âThatâs true, but he is going too far. He is seriously too extreme.â
He sighed and spread the second report placed on the right. It was the real report, sent by Sheryl.
âShe is so different.â
Glenn nodded in satisfaction upon seeing that there were more than four pages of the report.
However, his eyes started to flap like a beeâs wings as soon as he spread the third page.
âDamn itâŠâ
Thick wrinkles appeared on his brow.
âMy lord?â
Roennâs eyes widened. It had been a long time since the last time heâd seen Glenn so angry.
He was curious about what was written there to make him react like that.
âWh-whyâŠ?â
Chadâs jaw also dropped in surprise.
âIt says that Raon won against three highest-level Masters in the fighting contest. He used the second technique of the Azure Sky Sword, andâŠâ
Glenn continued along with a painful breath.
âHe declared to the Five Divine Ordersâ disciples that âYou wonât reach my skyâ.â
Glenn slammed the throne, regretting not attending the event. The armrest, repaired countless times, crumbled once more into powder.
âHow could I miss that scene?!â
Crimson lightning rampaged above his hand, showing that he was frustrated from the bottom of his heart.
âErrâŠâ
Chadâs jaw had dropped so far that it looked like it could never return to normal.
âHuhuhu.â
On the other hand, Roenn laughed gently.
âThat is indeed regrettable.â
He licked his lips. It looked like he wanted to see Raon in action just like Glenn.
âItâs all because of those damned Five DemonsâŠâ
While Glenn was grinding his teeth, a small piece of paper fell from the reportâs envelope.
âHmm?â
Roenn started to pick up the piece of paper and suddenly widened his eyes.
âM-my lord! Look at this!â
He leaped onto the platform and handed out the paper to Glenn.
âR-Raon?â
Glenn dropped his jaw upon seeing the paper. A vivid picture of Raon was drawn on it.
In fact, rather than a mere drawing, it appeared as though the real Raon was embedded on it.
âWh-what is this?â
âIt says on the back that itâs a picture. Itâs apparently drawn by an artifact made by the youngest daughter of House Yonaan.â
Roenn read the explanation written on the picture.
âHuh!â
Glenn stared blankly at a picture for a while before he briskly stood up.
âMy lord?â
âThis isnât time to be standing around.â
âWhere are you goingâŠ?â
âIâm going to ask Vulcan to make a frame. It needs to be an unbreakable frame.â
He descended from the platform, embracing the picture with utmost care.
âAhâŠâ
Chadâs lips trembled violently.
âAsk Vulcan to make a frame?â
Vulcan, a second-to-none blacksmith in the continent who had forged Glennâs Heavenly Tremor and Raonâs Heavenly Drive.
Glenn was apparently going to ask the continentâs blacksmith to make a frame, which was complete insanity.
âMy lord!â
Roenn sighed quietly while looking at Glenn.
âYes, stop him!â
Chad nodded at Roenn. It was a signal to please stop him, but what Roenn said was completely unexpected.
âHow about using orcon as material? That will make it unbreakable.â
Chad was expecting Roenn to stop Glenn, but he was making an even worse suggestion of making the frame with a metal that was second-to-none in hardness.
âGood idea.â
Glenn nodded and ran outside the audience chamber.
âI knew it.â
Chad gasped while watching Glenn and Roennâs backs.
âRaon Zieghart holds the real authority within this householdâŠâ
* * *
* * *
Raon went out to the training ground before the sun rose.
Because of the harsh training from the day before, everyone was still sleeping, and the entire mansion was quiet.
YaaawnâŠ
Wrath raised his head while yawning like a crocodile.
Donât you ever feel sleepy?
He shot him a sharp, piercing glare.
You can get stronger and remove your fatigue just from sleeping. Why are you going out of your way to suffer?!
âIâve slept enough.â
Thanks to the improved effect of Sloth, he could gain a significant amount of stats without even sleeping that much.
Since the fatigue was also removed more quickly, there was no reason to sleep for that long.
UghâŠ
Wrath waved his clenched fist in the air.
That damned doormat! The King of Essence is going to make him unable to sleep for the rest of his life when he gets a chance!
He furrowed his brow while calling Sloth the demon king of doormats.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon licked his lips while watching Wrath. He wanted to say that Wrath was the real demon king of doormat, but he suppressed his urge because he didnât want to argue first thing in the morning.
âBut itâs not just advantageous. Thereâs a drawback too.â
Drawback?
âYes. Itâs difficult to get out of bed.â
Heâd been feeling drowsy and lazy, probably because of Slothâs effect.
He wouldâve immediately gotten out of bed in the past, but it took him five seconds before he could open his eyes after Sloth was unlocked.
Five seconds? Five freaking seconds?
Wrath tilted his chin while shoving his face onto him.
What difference does it even make?! Humans are normally supposed to become one with the bed with that much sloth! You can even put up with the King of Essenceâs wrath. Whatâs wrong with your willpower?!
He shouted, asking how it was even possible that Raon could endure the demon kingsâ emotions.
âI wonder.â
The answer was obviously the Ring of Fire and power of the soul that heâd inherited from his previous life, but he simply shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
Just as Raon was about to unsheathe his sword to start his practice, a small presence approached the front door. He focused on the footsteps and noticed that Denning Rose was approaching.
âWhat brings her here so early in the morning?â
She knocked on the door, and Raon opened it for her.
âAh, you were already awake.â
Denning Rose lowered her head, apologizing for the early visit.
âThatâs okay. I was training anyway.â
âAre you already training after how much you bulliedâI mean, trained the swordsmen yesterday?â
âItâs just the natural thing to do.â
âAhâŠâ
Her eyes widened, surprised by the fact that training was a natural thing to do.
âBy the way, what brings you here so early?â
âI have something to tell you.â
Denning Rose grabbed her sleeve and raised her eyes.
âThe Five Demons have been suspicious recently.â
âThe Five Demons?â
âYes. The White Blood Religion and the Black Tower are meddling here and there, and their actions are erratic, making it difficult to anticipate their next moves. I heard the South-North Union has also opened a new waterway.â
Wisdom emanated from her sole eye.
âIt looks like the Five Divine Ordersâ festival got on their nerves. I recommend you leave right after the festival ends, since you are the target of many factions of the Five Demons.â
âThatâs true, since I had an issue with four of them. I think the only one I havenât had an issue with is the Holy Sword Alliance.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader and the Black Towerâs vice master were targeting him.
Since he also had an issue with a senator of the South-North Union, it wasnât an exaggeration to say that he was an enemy of them all except for the Holy Sword Alliance.
âThat is because the Holy Sword Alliance hasnât appeared yet, but they are going to be the biggest issue once they do. Their sword demons can do anything to track down excellent swordsmen.â
Denning Rose fidgeted while saying that the Holy Sword Alliance was actually the most dangerous among them.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon nodded while watching Denning Roseâs hand.
âThatâs true.â
The Holy Sword Alliance was a group of hungry demons that craved swordsmanship. Since Raon could use the Azure Sky Sword and techniques that heâd created himself, they were obviously going to chase him.
âDid you come here to tell me about them?â
âYes. I thought I should tell you as quickly as possible.â
âThank you. Iâll heed your advice and leave right after the festival.â
âThank you for your understanding.â
Denning Rose smiled, saying that it was a natural thing to do, just like Raonâs training.
âIâll be back after sunrise.â
She nodded once again and left the lodgings.
Raon saw Denning Rose off before he looked at the left wall.
He could feel a presence right next to him. It was a presence that he was even more familiar with than Denning Rose.
âShe is the only person around here, right?â
Who else would be here so early in the morning�
Wrath shook his head, remarking that only they were crazy enough for such a thing.
Tap!
Raon lightly jumped over the wall and entered the alley.
A small woman was blinking, as if she didnât have time to hide in the shadows.
âAh?â
Sheryl was the one who had been pressed against the wall so early in the morning. She wore a light traveling outfit, likely because the night camouflage would have been too conspicuous, and her hair was dyed black.
âWhy are youâŠ?â
âI came to check because I could feel a presence. Are you already on the move?â
Raon created an aura barrier and walked up to Sheryl.
âI came here because you started to move. Arenât you ever tired, even when you trained your crew until dawn?â
Sheryl shook her head, asking if he was tired.
âIt has to be done.â
He provided the identical response as he had to Denning Rose.
âI see.â
Sheryl wasnât surprised, unlike Denning Rose. Her faint smile showed that she liked the answer.
âYesterday's match was great. It was so refreshing to see you take down those who were shamelessly doing whatever they pleased without a care in the world.â
A satisfied smile appeared on Sherylâs face as she said that she hadnât seen such an enjoyable sight in a while.
âItâs the minimum I should do as Zieghartâs representative.â
âWow, thatâs great!â
Her smile deepened even further.
âThe head of house wouldâve been proud of you if he had seen it.â
âHe would?â
Raon licked his lips. He felt like Glenn wasnât really going to be impressed with that much.
âHe definitely would.â
Sheryl patted his shoulder while saying that it was for sure.
âHmm, IâŠâ
Just as Raon was about to tell her that he couldnât imagine Glenn being proud of him, Sheryl silenced him with a shushing gesture.
She frowned intensely, and a knocking sound could be heard from the door.
âThe great me has arrived!â
It was Rimmer. He kicked the front door open and entered. It was unknown where heâd been, but he was completely drunk.
âThat damned bastardâŠâ
Sherylâs fist was trembling. She looked like she wanted to smack him.
Raon laughed bitterly as he looked back and forth between Rimmer, who was just loafing around, and Sheryl, whoâd been protecting the Light Wind division without even sleeping. freewŃbnoÎœel.com
âThey are so different.â
The Heavenly Blade division leader was Glennâs most trusted vassal, and her might was at the Grandmasterâs realm.
He felt gratitude and admiration towards her because she had been protecting his crew, despite their lower rank compared to hers, even though she held the highest position in Zieghart.
The stark contrast with Rimmer, who was akin to a friend to her, only made her appear even more noble.
âThank you.â
Raon bowed to Sheryl, conveying his heartfelt gratitude.
âWhatâs wrong with you?â
Sheryl quickly blinked, unable to understand why he was bowing.
âActuallyâŠâ
Just as he raised his head to explain, a large message appeared in front of his eyes.
[The trait Envyâs ability has been unlocked.]
N-no! Itâs another damned doormat!
Wrath, who had been blinking sleepily, suddenly erupted into screams.fÉŸeeweÉnŃłveÉ.com