The red moonlight was waning upon the light green leaves inside the great garden of House Robert.
A small maid knelt behind Derus Robert, who was watching the clouds flowing by like a river.
âHow did it go?â
Derus turned his head halfway towards her to let her into his vision.
âThe situation went a bit awry.â
Cubara remained perfectly calm despite stating that things had gone wrong.
âThe situation went awry, you say?â
âOrgos and the Light Wind division clashed as you wished, and Raon Zieghart joined the battlefield afterward to confine Orgos inside a boundary. However, after thatâŠâ
Cubara closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again and continued.
âA demon king manifested.â
ââŠDemon king?â
Derus Robert turned around. His pupils twisted as if a blade was stabbing into them as he looked down upon Cubara.
âDid you just say that a demon king arrived?â
âYes, I did.â
âWhy did a demon kingâŠ?â
âAccording to the report, they appeared because Orgosâs demonic energy was getting on their nerves.â
âWhat outfit was the demon king wearing? No, what did they look like?â
âThey had a beautiful appearance with sky blue hair and snow white skin, and the report mentioned that it was impossible to tell whether they were a man or a woman from afar.â
âItâs a different oneâŠâ
Derus deeply closed his eyes and exhaled roughly.
âWhat happened to Raon Zieghart?â
âThe report says they only understood the situation through lip reading since they couldnât hear, and the demon king seems to have only killed Orgos while ignoring Raon Zieghart.â
âHe was ignoredâŠâ
Since Shadows learned to lip read as a part of their basic education, there shouldnât have been any mistakes.
âAnd regardless of the lip reading, thatâs the reasonable course of action.â
It wouldâve been strange if the demon king had paid any attention to a mere Master if their advent had been caused by Orgosâs demonic energy, which earned their displeasure.
Derus could assume that Raon really was ignored.
âWhat happened after that?â
âThe demon king clashed against the White Blood Religion's leader and the Holy Sword Alliance masterâŠâ
Cubara reported everything up to the moment Glenn and the dragon lord made their appearance without missing any detail.
âHmmâŠâ
Derus touched his black leather gloves while looking down on Cubara. The wound at the back of his hand was aching slightly.
âThe demon king supposedly broke out of the boundary⊠Which means Raon Zieghart probably fell somewhere in the continent from the distortion of the boundary.â
Since Raon had created the boundary by cutting his own stomach, he mustâve been unable to move or even unconscious if heâd managed to survive.
âCubara.â
Derus made up his mind and raised his head.
âOrder all the Shadows throughout the continent to find Raon Zieghart, even if they have to search through the entire region they are infiltrating.â
There was a high possibility that they wouldnât be able to find Raon, but it was a perfect opportunity to easily kill that annoying man if they did. It was an opportunity that he couldnât miss.
âTell them to kill him right away if they find him without reporting, and to move in groups of two.â
According to Raon Zieghartâs previous actions, he would definitely put up a desperate struggle even if he was on the verge of death. It was necessary to move in groups of two to make sure he died.
âUnderstood.â
âWait.â
Cubara nodded without asking any questions. Derus raised his hand when she was about to leave.
âWhat happened to the demon king?â
âThey disappeared when Glenn and the dragon lord appeared.â
ââŠI see. You can leave.â
Derus turned around once again. He rolled his lips into a smile while watching the clouds starting to hide the moonlight.
âA demon king that can easily kill Orgos and overwhelm the White Blood Religion's leaderâŠâ
âThey might be another chess piece I can use.â
* * *
Wrath reappeared in front of the bead ice cream shop located in the royal capital.
HahâŠ
Raon gasped while watching Wrath sticking to the shopâs window like a frog.
You said you had to come here no matter what, and itâs an ice cream shop?
âIsnât it obvious?!â
Wrath nodded violently, saying that it wasnât even a question.
âThe King of Essence has been living for this day! Heâs always wanted to eat bead ice cream with his own mouth and hand!â
His blue eyes glared at Raon as he declared that he was going to kill him if he tried to stop him.
No, Iâm not going to try to stop you.
Raon raised his finger and pointed inside the shop. The manager was cleaning the floor, implying that she was planning to close the shop since it was a late hour.
The shop is going to close if you donât go right now.
âThat canât be allowed to happen!â
Wrath frantically entered the ice cream shop.
âAh, Iâm sorry. The shop is closed for the dayâah!â
The young woman, who seemed to be the manager, was about to turn the light off but stopped midway. She looked at Wrathâs face and dropped the magic lamp from her hand. The glass shattered and completely messed up the floor she had cleaned.
The source of this cđžntent is freewebnĂžvel.coɱ.
âH-how can a human face be like thatâŠ?â
However, the manager didnât care at all about the destroyed magic lamp and kept staring at Wrathâs face.
âWhat a nostalgic feeling.â
Wrath swept his hair back with his finger even though it wasnât even disheveled and his lips floated into a smile.
âLike he said before, the King of Essence is the most beautiful being in DevildomâŠâ
Is that even important right now? You said you had no time.
âTh-thatâs right! Manager, pull yourself together!â
âIâm sorry!â
The manager hurriedly bowed, but her pupils were still sucked to Wrath.
âHmm, but is the shop closed?â
âNot at all! Please choose! Have them all! Everything!â
Wrathâs eyebrows were lowered in disappointment, and the manager frantically shook her hands. She looked like she was going to give him the entire shop.
âReally?â
âOf course!â
âI wish you success and happiness!â
Wrath blessed her despite being a demon king and started examining the bead ice cream on the other side of the counter.
Wrath and the manager made the perfect duo even though theyâd just met each other.
âHmmâŠâ
Since it was the capital, there was a wider variety of ice cream than in other places. Wrath contemplated for a long time, unable to make up his mind right away.
âHe canât tell which one to pick.â
I thought you were going to take mint chocolate.
Raon tilted his head while watching Wrath. Heâd thought Wrath would definitely say that he would have mint chocolate, and his contemplation was rather unexpected.
âHe canât possibly have just mint chocolate since this might be the last opportunity for him to eat it himself! The flavors that you would never want to eat need to be taken no matter what!â
Wrathâs eyes moved over the options rapidly as he said that he was going to try out various flavors.
Iâm glad you have a choice, but you donât have much time, do you?
âTh-the King of Essence will be having mint chocolate, pineapple vanilla, apple mango beef jerky, and peanut apple flavored ice creamâone of each!â
What the hell are those choices�
Raon sighed. The names already revealed that none of the choices were normal.
âUnderstood!â
The manager nodded and started to scoop up the ice cream into a luxurious box. Of course, her eyes were still fixated on Wrath.
Do you have money, by the way?
âMoney? M-money!â
Wrath widened his eyes in shock.
âN-no! What should he do?!â
He started to panic. Since heâd suddenly appeared in his demon king form, it was only natural that he wouldnât have any human money.
Is he really a demon king�
Raon laughed bitterly while watching the monarch of Devildom panic because he didnât have any money to buy ice cream after heâd pressured three transcenders on his own.
âHelpâŠâ
Wrath put his hands together and asked for help. Raon wanted to give him the money since heâd helped a lot, but he couldnât figure out how.
My money is inside my subspace, but it canât be taken out right now.
âNo, it can!â
How?
âThe King of Essence is currently rooted in your mental world. You just need to take out of your mental world just like you made the King of Essence manifest into the world.â
Mental worldâŠ
Raon closed his eyes. He imagined taking out the subspace pocket Dorian had given to him and unleashed his will.
Along with a floating sensation in his body, the subspace pocket appeared in front of Wrathâs eyes.
âOoh!â
Wrath quickly caught the pocket and took gold coins from it.
âYou arenât needed anymore!â
HeyâŠ
Raon frowned while looking at Wrath. He bit his lip while promising himself revenge.
âHereâs your ice cream.â
The manager put the bead ice cream inside the package box and handed it to Wrath. It seemed to include at least twice as much as the normal amount at a glance.
âHere you go.â
Wrath nodded and placed three gold coins on the counter.
âI have to give change with just one of themâŠâ
âChange is unnecessary!â
He violently shook his head while taking the ice cream box.
âWhat?â
âThe way you handled it was to the kingâs liking. Take it!â
Itâs not even your monâ
âItâs the King of Essenceâs money now!â
Wrath waved his hand at the manager and wished her the best of luck in her life before he left the ice cream shop.
Alright, itâs just for today, so do whatever you wishâŠ
Raon murmured that he gave up and shook his hand.
Just eat it up already.
âWhat is that?!â
Wrath swallowed while looking at the grilled skewer restaurant located on the opposite side of the ice cream shop.
Hey, weren't you supposed to not have enough time?!
âA ghost should stay quiet.â
He slapped Raonâs hand away as he tried to stop him and used his footwork towards the grilled skewer shop.
âWelcâgasp!â
The middle-aged manager who was grilling the skewer dropped his jaw upon seeing Wrathâs face.
âWhat is this?â
âI-itâs a grilled skewer made with leek and chicken leg meat. We also have pork and beef as meat.â
The managerâs courtesy made it seem as if he were dealing with a noblewoman. He seemed to think that Wrath was a woman, unlike the ice cream shop manager.
âGive one of each kind!â
Wrath nodded in satisfaction and placed three gold coins on the counter.
Hey, why are you spending three each time? One is more than enough.
âThe King of Essence gets to decide it since itâs his money!â
Wait, itâs not your money!
He looked like he was having fun spending the money because he was generously giving out tips.
âH-here you go!â
The manager even gave the skewers that other clients shouldâve gotten to Wrath instead and bowed to him.
âKeep up the great work.â
Wrath said goodbye properly once again and left the skewer shop. He had such good manners despite being a demon king.
Letâs really start eatâ
âWhat is that now?!â
He was looking at the skewer but suddenly started running towards a pizza shop on the right.
Hey, you useless glutton of a demon king! You said you didnât have the time!
âJust one more!â
* * *
* * *
Glenn sighed quietly after he confirmed everything inside the twisted boundary.
âThe boundary was created with blood.â
Since Raon was supposed to be the creator of the boundary, it mustâve been made with the Light Wind divisionâs blood.
âDamn itâŠâ
He was angry at Orgos, who had caused the situation. Since he got torn apart by the demon king, Glenn wanted to revive him and beat him to death once again.
âWhere are you?â
If Raon had really been bounced out when the boundary was twisted, there mustâve been a hint inside. He had to find it no matter what.
âHmmâŠâ
The dragon lord also activated various magics inside the boundary. He seemed to be trying to find the demon kingâs traces.
âThis demon king is far more powerful than I thoughtâŠâ
He bit his lip upon noticing that the demon kingâs energy had influenced the space itself.
âIndeedâŠâ
Glenn nodded in agreement.
âIt wasnât any ordinary demonic energy.â
The demon king was watching out for them even when he was defending against the two transcenders. If he was still on the continent, it could become a huge problem later on.
However, the demon king wasnât the important thing for the time being. Finding Raon and the Light Wind divisionâs locations and states was the highest priority.
Roenn walked up to him while Glenn was examining the inside of the boundary once again.
âMy lord.â
Roenn placed his hand on his chest and continued.
âWeâve received a message from the house. The Light Wind division is currently being treated at the healing ward inside the Owen Kingdom.â
His lips trembled slightly as he said that everyone from the Light Wind division was being treated over there.
âThe Light Wind divisionâs vice leader mustâve used that ring to send them there.â
âThat should be the caseâŠâ
Glenn nodded. He could guess that they were sent to Owen because the mana wasnât enough, and it ended up being an excellent decision considering the situation.
âThen is RaonâŠ?â
âThey said the Light Wind divisionâs vice leader isnât over there.â
Roenn lowered his head to hide his trembling pupils.
âI seeâŠâ
âDestructive King of the North.â
The Holy Sword Alliance master furrowed his brow and placed his dark sword on his shoulder.
âWhat are you doing right now? You wouldnât have cared whether your subordinates died or not in the past, you would have crossed blades with me.â
âShut your mouth.â
âDonât you think it would be better to act before I personally kill those young ones? Donât disappoint me any further.â
The bloody black shadow started to rage from underneath him.
âDarkan.â
Glenn turned around. He looked down on the Holy Sword Alliance master with a breathtakingly emotionless gaze.
âIâll grant your wish and kill you, even if you donât whine so much.â
âYes, thatâs the expression. Thatâs what I wantââ
âOwen!â
While he was twisting his lips into a smile, Merlin clutched her head and started to scream.
âYes, itâs Owen! I can smell him from Owen!â
Merlin left the boundary while murmuring that Raonâs scent was connected to Owen. She immediately floated into the air and flew towards Owen.
Glenn lowered his lips, his sword still pointed at the Holy Sword Alliance master.
âThat womanâŠâ
She was an insane person who had kidnapped Raon to Edenâs branch and was still showing a strange obsession towards Raon, but she was the first to notice Raonâs boundary.
âRoenn. Bring the Heavenly Blade division leader and the Light Wind division leader to Owen.â
âUnderstood.â
As soon as Roenn nodded, Glenn used the Supreme Harmony Steps toward the direction where Merlin had gone flying. His shape disappeared in an instant.
âWhat the hell?! Where do you think you are going? Glenn Zieghart!â
The Holy Sword Alliance master ground his teeth violently and chased after Glenn.
âWhatâs even going on right nowâŠ?â
The Demon Slaying Spear gasped while throwing away his spear shaft.
âWhat a complete mess.â
The Queen of Swords sighed while taking her hand off of her hilt.
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor pressed on her temple deeply while looking in the direction where Glenn had disappeared.
âRaon Zieghart and a demon king.â
It reminded her of when sheâd read the heavenâs flow regarding Raon Zieghart.
She felt like the demonâs shape that was engraved on the book was overlapping with the face of the demon king who had killed Orgos.
âCould it beâŠ?â
* * *
Wrath appeared in the capitalâs backstreet, a place rarely visited by people, while carefully hugging the ice cream and various food in his arms.
âSince we are going to switch back soon, it should be better to eat here and return to your form.â
I get it, so you should just start eating already.
Raon sighed while looking at the food Wrath was holding.
âHe knows!â
Wrath nodded and spread a blanket on the ground before putting the ice cream and food on it.
âWhich one shall he start with?â
You should start with the food. Ice cream is a dessert.
âYou donât know how to eat. Starting with ice cream is best at a time like this!â
Why did you even ask me if you were going to do that anyway�
Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the broad grin on Wrathâs face.
Whap!
Wrath opened the ice cream boxâs lid with his hand trembling in excitement. As the white steam rose from it, his eyes fluttered in the same way.
âThe King of Essence is finally getting to eat this piece of art with his own hand and mouth. Heâs waited so longâHuh?â
However, when Wrathâs hand was approaching the ice cream, the blue energy on his arm started to scatter around.
âWh-what?! There shouldâve been some more time remaining!â
You said earlier when you were healing them that it was more exerting than fighting. Didnât the time decrease even further because you decided to take my burden on top of that?
âArgh!â
Raon mustâve guessed right since Wrathâs jaw dropped.
âN-no! This canât be happening! Just one bite! Itâs too sad to be unable to eat after buying them all!â
He extended his hand, saying that it couldnât be happening.
âYou damned heaven! Stop being unreasonable to hiiiim!â
The moment Wrathâs hand reached the mint chocolate ice cream, the blue frost surrounding his body radiated a brilliant light and Raon appeared.
Pssh!
Blood wasnât gushing from his abdomen that was stabbed by Heavenly Drive, but his face was pale.
âIt wasnât anything unreasonable this time. It was your fault for being such a glutton. I canât even tell whether you are Wrath or Gluttony.â
Raon shook his head while feeling the cold sensation of the ice cream in his hand.
âThatâs why I told you to⊠hurry upâŠâ
However, he didnât last for long either. He couldnât control his body, just like Wrath, and collapsed to the side.
Clang!
In the midst of his vision going dark, he could see Heavenly Drive and ice cream rolling on the ground.
By the time the mint chocolate ice cream fell on the ground and started to slowly melt, the voices of an old man and a woman could be heard from between the backstreets.
âWhatâs even here?â
âI felt a strange energy.â
âIt must be some brawl between drunkard⊠Hmm?â
The old man stopped walking as soon as he entered the alley. He widened his eyes, after examining Raonâs face and Heavenly Drive.
âRaon Zieghart?â