Martha slowly opened her eyes. She could see a clean white ceiling, one that lacked even a single speck of dust.
âWhere am IâŠ? Ah.â
She immediately remembered what had happened, probably because her head was clear after such a deep sleep.
âI fainted after becoming a Master.â
She was enlightened while fighting against a Master during the fighting contest of the Five Divine Orders, and she finally managed to unleash the astral energy that sheâd always desired.
âThe match mustâve ended as a draw.â
She remembered that sheâd landed a clear hit on that arrogant Kallon, even if she ended up losing consciousness after that.
Martha slowly clenched her fist. She could feel a huge amount of power twitching inside her energy center.
âIt wasnât a dream.â
Her enlightenment about martial arts had deepened further. She had a feeling that she could have a complete victory against Kallon if the fight happened once again.
âI wonder what Raon is going to say about this?â
She was unbearably curious about what Raon would say about her becoming a Master. She wanted to immediately check out his reaction.
âConsidering his personality, I donât think heâs going to praise me⊠Hmm?â
Martha giggled to herself and rolled her eyes. It had been noisy outside for a short while.
âI must be at a healing ward.â
Judging from the neat interior and medicines next to her, she was clearly in a healing ward. It was clear that theyâd spent a lot of money on it, which was to be expected from a new city. ÆĐłeeweÉnà«Švel.com
âLetâs go out.â
Her body felt light, probably because sheâd been sleeping for a long time. She figured she would have no issue moving around, roughly unwrapped her bandages, and opened the door.
âAaaah!â
âCover his stomach first!â
âWait, how did his arm end up like thisâŠ?â
âSh-sheâs bleeding too much! There are more than three holes in her stomach! Itâs already too lateâŠâ
âShut up and focus on healing! They brought the third princeâs divine tablet with them! Save them no matter what!â
The screams of the patients and shouts of the healers were being hurled all around the place. They were so noisy to the point where her ears were hurting, but she realized that the screaming voices were familiar.
âDonât tell meâŠâ
Martha closed her lips tightly and examined the face of the patient whose abdomen was being treated by the healers.
âHuhâŠ?â
It was Dorian. Both his arms and legs were smashed as if they had been hammered down, and he had a dark hole in his abdomen, where blood was gushing out nonstop.
âWhereâs the priest?!â
âTh-they are coming soon!â
âDamn it! Their asses are so heavy even with the amount of money we spent!â
The middle-aged healer wearing a golden uniform applied medicine to Dorianâs abdomen while swearing, and then he covered the hole with his hands before scattering his blue energy.
âSniffâŠâ
Dorianâs quiet groan could barely be heard. The movement of his throat showed that he was still alive, but it didnât look like he would last for long.
However, he wasnât the only one with serious injuries.
Next to Dorian, Burren was there with one of his eyes covered in blood, Runaan had three holes in her stomach, and Mark Goettenâs left arm was scorched black.
All three of them seemed to be in intense pain, as their shoulders and necks were shivering.
âUahâŠâ
âAaaaah!â
âUuhâŠâ
âPl-please skin me! I canât endure this anymoreâŠâ
The other Light Wind swordsmen were also injured in various places, and their wounds were dark, as if theyâd been injured a long time ago.
âD-demonic energy? Were they defeated by demonic energy?â
Martha sank to the ground while leaning against the wall next to her.
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âWhatâs even happening right now?!â
Her strength had abandoned her legs. Then she raised her head while sitting on her knees.
âW-wait! Raon! Whereâs RaonâŠ?â
She couldnât understand the situation, but there was no way Raon would be intact when the Light Wind division was injured to that extent.
She crawled to find Raon and saw that Yua was standing up.
âYua!â
âM-Martha!â
Yuaâs shoulder and waist were covered in bloody bandages as she ran towards Martha.
âWhat even happened? Please tell meâŠâ
Marthaâs pale lips were trembling as she grabbed Yuaâs sleeve.
âWh-while you were fast asleep, the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion's leader attacked Banneret.â
âThe White Blood Religion's leaderâŠâ
She unconsciously clenched her fist upon hearing the name of the White Blood Religion's leader.
âThat monster did it againâŠâ
She bit her lip to the point of bleeding and looked around the Light Wind division who were submerged in pain.
Her heart pounded rapidly, as if it were about to explode, upon realizing that sheâd done that to her companions after taking away her motherâs body.
âBut we werenât injured by them.â
âWhat?â
âWe managed to escape because the Light Wind division leader and the Heavenly Blade division leader carved a path for us, butâŠâ
Yua explained what had happened to Martha.
âWh-which means, RaonâŠâ
ââŠHe stayed behind on his own.â
Yua fell on her ass and started to cry loudly.
Cries of sadness and worry engulfed the healing ward, and the patients who had been struggling slowly closed their eyes and breathed quietly.
Yua had unconsciously unleashed a lullaby.
âHuhâŠâ
âWhatâs happening?â
âBut even the anesthetics didnât work on themâŠâ
The healersâ eyes widened as they looked at Yua. They seemed surprised because it had never happened before.
âCome back to your senses! Get moving already!â
âI-Iâm sorry!â
The middle-aged man in a golden uniform shouted, and the other healers resumed the treatment.
âIt will be fine.â
Martha shook her head while grabbing Yuaâs shoulder.
âThereâs no way that monster is going to die.â
âR-right?â
âYes. I know about his miracles better than anyone else. Trust me.â
She patted Yuaâs head and turned her head around. She smacked her thigh with her tightly clenched fist.
âDamn it, damn it! Daaamn it!â
The fact that the Light Wind division struggled to death while she was sleeping soundly, that theyâd been protecting her instead of their own bodies, and that she couldnât do anything when Raon saved everyone and stayed behind on his own was so frustrating that she broke out in tears.
âWhat should I do?â
She couldnât be impatient. If it was Raonâs will that sent everyone to the healing ward, abiding by it and saving everyone took the highest priority.
âI need to start by contacting the house.â
Since sheâd said that they were teleported to the healing ward in that state, they shouldnât have even thought about contacting the house.
Martha steadied her trembling legs and stood up.
She checked out the injuries and the states of everyone in the Light Wind division before she asked a staff member at the healing ward to send a message to Zieghart.
She asked them to bring all the medicines and elixirs that were necessary before she knelt in front of the middle-aged man wearing the golden uniform who seemed to be the person in charge.
âPlease save them, Iâll do anything.â
Martha bit her lip and slammed her head on the ground.
âWeâve already received more than enough payment.â
The middle-aged man in the golden uniform pointed at the third princeâs tablet.
âBut we could use your assistance. Can we extract your aura? It will be extremely painful.â
He asked whether she could endure it with narrowed eyes.
âIâll do it even if it means I canât use my aura ever again.â
Martha went next to the middle-aged man without even wiping the blood flowing from her forehead.
âAlright, please insert this into your arm.â
The middle-aged man pointed at Marthaâs arm with a thick needle at the width of a finger.
Martha nervously bit her lip while stabbing the needle into her right arm.
âRaon, make sure to return alive. Iâm going to save them no matter what.â
* * *
Wrath was looking at the transcenders haughtily, but Raon broke out into a cold sweat as he watched him from behind.
Hey!
âWhy are you calling me?â
Wrath still seemed to retain his sanity since he made an aura barrier before he responded.
Why would you leave without a plan?!
Raon reluctantly screamed at Wrath.
We canât let them find out the relationship between us!
The original plan was to switch bodies with Wrath inside the boundary and leave while feigning ignorance. However, the crazy demon king had just left the boundary. Raon felt dizzy from the situation.
We will be screwed if it goes wrong!
If people found out that he was linked to a demon king, he would be kicked out of Zieghart at the very least, and he could potentially be murdered by the dragons.
It would be fine if heâd reached transcendence, but he wasnât even a Grandmaster yet. That was why it was necessary to hide that fact no matter what.
âWhat foolishness. No one here can figure out the relationship between us.â
They canât figure it out?
âThe King of Essence is currently in his real form instead of your body. His energy is also demonic energy instead of your shabby aura. No one among them is capable of finding you inside the King of Essence.â
But we have a time limit. What if we suddenly revert back�
âYour mind is maintaining this body right now, but the King of Essenceâs demonic energy is also contributing to it. We do have a time limit, but he can control it.â
Wrath shook his head, saying that they might find it strange but wouldnât think they were related.
âMoreover, your boundary is still down there. The King of Essence will release it when heâs about to leave and distract them. Donât worry about it.â
Really?
âHas the King of Essence ever lied before?â
âŠAlmost never.
Wrath almost never lied, except for when he bragged about something. His actions during that incident were a testament to it.
âBy the way.â
Wrath rolled his eyes while curving his lips into a deep smile.
âWhat do you think will happen if they discover your identity?â
What?
âTruthfully, it doesnât change anything for the King of Essence even if they found out. And he doesnât exactly like the idea of hiding something when he is a demon king.â
ErrâŠ
âBut you are different. What do you think? Shall I try revealing his identity before returning this body to you?â
His eyes curved into a crescent shape, and he laughed at Raon.
You bastardâŠ
âOne week.â
Raon bit his lip, and Wrath raised his index finger.
What?
âSwear that you are going to eat everything the King of Essence wants for one week after this incident.â
Are you threatening me?
âHe learned it from you. Taking notes was worth it.â
Wrath grinned, saying that efforts were always rewarded.
UghâŠ
Eating whatever he wanted for a week wasnât a big deal. Raon wouldâve done it unconditionally if heâd just asked, but being unexpectedly threatened made him extremely irritated.
âYouâd better decide quickly. They must be wondering about this situation.â
Wrath pointed at the transcenders below with his finger.
Raon sighed after looking at Rimmer and Sheryl.
Alright, one weekâŠ
âItâs two weeks now because you hit the time limit.â
Hey!
âHe learned that from you as well.â
When did I ever do that?!
âHuh? You are taking too long. Itâs three weeks nowââ
Fine! Three weeks!
Raon immediately responded that he would do it because he had a feeling it would become one month soon enough.
âCall.â
Wrath nodded with a smile.
âThis should prevent heavenâs unreasonable treatment.â
He nodded, saying that he should be able to eat whatever he wanted within three weeks no matter how much heaven tried to interfere.
Raon furrowed his brow while watching Wrath descend to the land.
You couldâve just gone ahead to eat with that body right now if thatâs what you want.
âSomething requires his attention before then.â
* * *
* * *
The Thespian Emperor furrowed her brow while looking at the existence floating in the air.
âWhat is that?â
The formation that sheâd worked so hard to prepare was ruined because of his appearance through the space, but that wasnât the important part.
âHow can energy feel like that?â
His energy was as elegant as divinity, but also as gloomy as demonic energy.
Characteristics that couldnât easily harmonize were coexisting in his body, and his presence was huge enough to fill more than the entire space around them.
âIs he even human?â
His navy blue hair was swept to the back, reflecting the sunlight, and he looked so beautiful that it was difficult to tell whether he was a man or a woman.
The transcendental beauty, mysterious energy, and overwhelming presence gave the impression that he was something other than a human being.
âI canât tell how this situation is going to unfold.â
Considering that heâd ordered them to lower their eyes, he didnât seem to be favorable. She gathered her energy in preparation for a sudden attack.
âHmmâŠâ
âHuh.â
The White Blood Religion's leaderâs lips were trembling nervously, and the Holy Sword Alliance masterâs eyes turned bloodshot like an excited gamblerâs.
âKuh!â
âUmmâŠâ
Since the Demon Slaying Spear and the Demonblade used dark energy as their weapons, they were overwhelmed by Wrathâs demonic energy and stepped back.
ââŠâŠâ
The Queen of Swords had her hand on the hilt with her usual nonchalant expression.
All the transcenders were nervous, and Raon checked on Rimmer and Sheryl before anything else.
What a relief.
âThey are both safe.â
Rimmer and Sheryl were both injured, but their injuries werenât as serious as the Light Wind divisionâs. They should manage to escape with a decent situation.
Then⊠Huh?
Raon smiled faintly upon finding Merlin, who was starting at Wrath.
I knew she would be here.
âTh-that madwoman is also here.â
Wrath groaned for the first time. Raon had thought that he had changed after getting stronger, but his personality was no different from when he was cotton candy.
Of course she would be.
It wouldâve been strange if Merlin was missing since she was the person who was the most obsessed with Raon Zieghart on the continent.
âThe King of EssenceâŠâ
Wrath averted his gaze, pretending he didnât see Merlin. He looked down on the transcenders coldly and twisted his lips.
âTold you to lower your eyes.â
âYou!â
The Demonblade pointed his finger at Wrath with a trembling chin.
âYou are a demon! Itâs difficult to tell, but that negative energy canât be anything else than demonic enerâCough!â
As he called Wrath a demon, a smacking sound was heard and his face turned to the side. His cheek reddened into a bloody color.
âThe King of Essence doesnât accept any questions.â
Wrath turned his head while lowering his hand that heâd used to slap the Demonbladeâs cheek.
âLearn your place before running your mouth.â
âAhâŠâ
The Demonbladeâs lips trembled as he rubbed his cheek.
âDid I just get slapped?â
He was still somewhat prepared for an attack, but he hadnât even recognized it until he was hit.
It was a tremendous speed and power. He had a feeling that it would be no less than the Holy Sword Alliance master in his full power.
ââŠAnd the King of Essence isnât a paltry demon. He is the King of Devildom.â
âA-a demon king?! Why is a demon king hereâŠ?â
The Demonblade shouted in astonishment, and Wrathâs hand moved once again.
The Demonblade moved when Wrathâs white hand, which seemed to have never been exposed to sunlight, started to advance like a ray of light. He raised the back of his hand to defend against Wrathâs attack and counterattack afterward.
However, Wrathâs hand broke through the Demonbladeâs defense like a snake and slapped his cheek once again.
Smack!
The Demonbladeâs face briskly bent and a red tooth fell out of his mouth.
âHe came to check on things because some shabby demonic energy was getting on his nerves. You are even more unsightly though.â
âUghâŠâ
The Demonbladeâs eyes were trembling in disbelief as he stepped backward.
âH-heâs a real demon kingâŠâ
The Demonblade shook his head, his chin trembling violently.
âYes, he must be the demon king. Thatâs the only way to explain this situation.â
Demons became weaker upon reaching the human realm. Wrath being a demon king was the only way to explain the fact that heâd slapped his cheek when he was fully prepared.
âBut why a demon kingâŠ?â
The Demon Slaying Spear also seemed nervous. He bit his lip and raised his spear shaft.
âHaaâŠâ
The Queen of Swords also prepared to draw her sword at any moment, catching her breath and clenching her hilt.
âWahahahaha!â
The Holy Sword Alliance master burst into laughter while covering his forehead, then lowered his head.
âMay I be permitted to ask a question, demon king?â
Wrath nodded his chin and gave permission.
âDo you use a sword by any chance?â
âNo.â
âTsk.â
The Holy Sword Alliance master immediately lost interest and withdrew with a frown on his face.
HuhâŠ
Raon gasped while watching the Holy Sword Alliance master let out a sigh.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Heâd heard the rumors that he was crazy for swords, but he didnât expect that even a demon king would fail to interest him. He was a complete lunatic.
âDemon king?â
Wrath rapidly turned his head upon hearing a frightening voice from somewhere.
âThis scentâŠâ
Merlin was talking. She raised her mask slightly and walked towards Wrath while sniffing like a puppy on a stroll.
âI think this is Raonâs scent.â
âUghâŠâ
Wrath was surprised for the first time and shrunk.
Seriously, this guyâŠ
Wrath wasnât just pretending to be afraid of Merlin. His presence was even bigger than the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion's leader, but he was shrinking in front of Merlin. Raon couldnât understand how it was happening.
âAre you a demon king?â
The White Blood Religionâs leader twisted her lips and examined Wrathâs body.
âAre you really revealing that by yourself? Do you have a death wish or something?â
She laughed at his ridiculous behavior.
Wrath narrowed his eyes while looking at the White Blood Religion's leader.
âYou said that her body belongs to Beef Girlâs mother, right?â
Yes.
Wrath remembered what Martha had told him in the past.
Wait, are you�
âHey, parasite over there.â
Wrath extended his hand at the White Blood Religion's leader.
âWhat?â
âHand over that body.â
âWhat?â
âThe King of Essence told you to hand over that body and disappear.â
âThis was already irritating enough, and now an insane demon scum is talking shit.â
The White Blood Religion's leader ground her teeth violently, unleashed her colorless energy above her hand, and thrust it at Wrath. The energy advanced while chipping the blood-covered land and rushed towards Wrathâs heart.
âYou donât know your place, parasite.â
Wrath smiled coldly and casually shook his hand. A blue light undulated from his white hand, and the White Blood Religion's leaderâs bloody energy froze in an instant.
âI-it froze?! The bloody energy froze?!â
The White Blood Religion's leaderâs eyes widened as she looked at the frozen bloody energy floating like a mobile hanging decoration.
âHow shabby, just like your existence.â
Wrath sneered while tilting his head. The frozen bloody energy fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
âI was curious what a demon kingâs blood tastes like. This is a perfect opportunity.
The White Blood Religion's leader opened her hands with a serious expression on her face. Transparent bloody energy was raging above her shoulder like a heat haze.
Cring!
A cold sword resonance severed the tension between the two.
The Holy Sword Alliance master came up next to the White Blood Religion's leader and raised his sword towards Wrath.
âAre you also joining?â
âI became interested in whether that freezing ability can block my sword technique. Moreover, demon kings are uncommon enemies in the continent.â
He licked his lip, saying that the biggest reason was that he had a feeling it would be fun.
âYou can talk when youâve accepted the Black Tower as your ally.â
The Queen of Swords frowned while getting into the posture of a sword draw.
âThis and that are different stories. But you arenât going to disturb us when we are trying to kill the demon king, are you?â
The Holy Sword Alliance master asked while licking his lip.
ââŠâŠâ
âHmmâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor didnât respond, while the Demon Slaying Spear stepped back, implying that he was going to watch the situation.
Shring.
The Demonblade unsheathed his sword. He looked like he was going to try attacking Wrath when he found an opening.
Wrath!
Raon hurriedly called out to Wrath.
What are you doing right now instead of running away?! We donât even have a boundary anymore.
Demons were unable to use their full power in the human realm. Dealing with the White Blood Religion's leader and the Holy Sword Alliance master shouldâve already been hard enough for him, and that was why Raon couldnât understand why he wasnât escaping.
âYou said before that you just need to spar in the training ground if you want to always fight in a perfect condition. This is exactly for that reason.â
What?
âA coward who only takes on safe battles canât be called a king.â
Wrath straightened his back and looked at the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion's leader. Even though he wasnât that tall, his presence became even more remarkable.
âA king doesnât move out of their way, nor go around. They simply carve the path while guiding the populace behind them.â
AhâŠ
âIf you wish to be the king of this land, you will watch.â
Raon could feel that Wrath was serious about it. The reason he kept calling himself a king was because of that pride he had.
âThe King of Essence is going to rip the head off of that parasite today. Be prepared to die if you want to get on his way.â
Wrath twisted his lips while pointing at the White Blood Religion's leader. Raging wrath glinted in his sky-blue eyes.
âCome at him!â