Chapter 366
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Raon packed up his baggage in the tent before going out to the entrance of Werthers Village. The destroyed iron gate and walls were perfectly repaired under Hendersonâs command.
âI can return now without worrying about them.â
He could leave the village without any problems since there were no enemies or monsters around the village, the villagers had somewhat regained their peace, and Henderson was still going to stay with them for a while.
Monsters could appear in the future because the drake was gone, but that wasnât going to happen for a good while, so he was planning to request the Sephia company to dispatch warriors to the village once he arrived.
He shouldâveâŚ
Raon was waiting for Dorian in front of the gate when he heard Wrathâs sigh going even deeper than the bottom of the earth.
H-he shouldâve said regional products instead of berry pies and braised chestnuts. He shouldâve done thatâŚ
âHow long are you planning on staying like that?â
Wrath had been repeating that over and over ever since the village chiefâs granddaughter, Lucy, gave him the berry macarons and sugar-glazed chestnuts.
He wasnât even sulking at that point. He seemed to be going insane.
He shouldâve said regional products instead of berry pies and braised chestnutsâŚ
âHeyâŚâ
Why did they have to come up with a new recipe now? This entire world must hate the King of Essence⌠Sniff!
He murmured that the unreasonable world made him lose the bet that he believed he was going to win for sure, his eyes filled with tears.
âI feel bad for him.â
He looked slightly pitiful because he had even stopped asking for food.
âI canât exactly give him the macarons⌠I should buy him some mint chocolates as soon as we return.â
He couldnât eat the macarons since heâd promised Denning Rose that he would return with specialty food from the village.
He decided that he would buy whatever Wrath wanted once he returned to the Sephia company.
âVice squad leader!â
He was patting Wrathâs head as he sniffled when Dorian came out of his tent.
âIâm ready.â
Dorian smiled while rubbing his belly pocket.
Raon still couldnât believe that a thirty-five-meter-long drake was inside the small pocket on top of the eight-horse carriage.
âLetâs go.â
Raon chuckled and pointed at the gate with his chin.
âAre we leaving without even saying goodbye?â
Dorian tilted his head while looking back at the village.
âDo you want to boast about saving them?â
âNo, Iâm not boasting, but we should say goodbyeâŚâ
âTheyâve already thanked us enough. Itâs better to leave quietly and avoid putting pressure on injured people.â
âSureâŚâ
Dorianâs stretched response showed his displeasure.
Raon tapped on Dorianâs shoulder. When he was about to jump over the wall, multiple peopleâs presence moved at once from behind them.
âOur benefactor!â
âI knew it!â
âYou really are going to leave.â
A bunch of villagers covered in bandages came running out towards Raon and Dorian at the same time.
âYou really are leaving like the wind after you appeared like the wind. Thank you, thatâs all we can say right now.â
The villager chief tightened his lips and leaned forward.
âThank you!â
The villagers also bowed at them after the chief. Their trembling voices conveyed how much they appreciated him.
Raon bowed back at them with a smile.
âPlease stay well.â
âHmmâŚâ
âBenefactorâŚâ
It wasnât a word of modesty since he simply voiced what he wanted from them, yet the villagers were even more impressed and bit their lips.
âYou look perfectly normal right now, but why do you become insane from time to timâ? Uhah!â
Dorianâs mumbling could be heard from behind him. Raon glared at him, which made him flinch and back away.
âBenefactor!â
Raon raised his eyes upon hearing a childish voice. The village chiefâs granddaughter, Lucy, was running towards him with two baskets in her hands. She was the one who gave him the berry macarons earlier.
âP-please take those with you.â
A sweet and refreshing scent was coming out from the baskets.
âThey are the berry pies.â
âPies? Why are you giving them to me?â
âI made them because you looked so happy when I gave you the macarons earlier.â
Lucy timidly lowered her head.
âI looked happy, she saysâŚâ
He was covering his mouth because he was laughing at Wrath, but he mustâve looked like he was happy about the macaron.
Arrrrrgh!
Wrath started to scream while shoving his face into the basket.
Why are you giving it to him now?! You shouldâve given them up earlier! She must be a godâs apostle! Sheâs making fun of the King of Essence!
He twisted his fluffy body while saying that a godâs apostle had to be exterminated.
âThank you.â
Raon kicked Wrath away because he kept rampaging around, accepting the baskets containing the berry pies.
âItâs nothing. I-I just want you to enjoy the food.â
Lucy shook her head with a smile.
âWe will be back later.â
Raon turned around after meeting the gratitude in the villagersâ eyes one after the other.
âPlease take care! We will make sure to visit!â
Dorian energetically said goodbye and followed Raon.
âWe really are coming back, right?â
âYes.â
Raon chuckled and nodded at Dorian.
Sniff! He shouldâve said regional products instead of berry pies and braised chestnutsâŚ
âHeâs getting started again.â
Wrath kept rambling even though theyâd already left the village. Judging from his state, Raon had the feeling that he would continue for a few days at least.
âVice squad leader.â
When he was about to mount his horse after leaving the village, Dorian walked up to him.
âSince we have two pies in total, what about eating one of them while itâs still hot?â
H-he shouldâve said regional products instead ofâ
As soon as Dorian asked to eat the pie, Wrathâs cry of despair suddenly came to a halt. He used to stare blankly at the sky, but he was instead giving a secret glance.
âIt canât beâŚDoes he seriously want to eat the pie now, even though it was the very reason why he fell into despair?â
Raon laughed bitterly and opened one of the baskets. The berry pie inside was cut into five pieces, and he gave one to Dorian before taking one for himself.
Gulp!
The gulping sound from Wrath echoed like a thunderstorm.
âIs this demon king serious right nowâŚ?â
Raon shook his head and put the berry pie in his mouth.
The warm and crispy crust was pleasant to eat, and the sweetness of the mountain berries and their juice engulfed the tongue. Moreover, the nutty flavor of the baked almonds was a perfect grand finale to the taste.
Raon couldnât suppress his smile. He could understand why the specialty foodâs reputation was spread far away into the continent.
HeheâŚ
Raon heard the happy laughter and turned to look at Wrath.
The focus had returned to his blank eyes, and the corners of his mouth were soaring to reach the sky.
Itâs so delicious!
Raon was dumbfounded as Wrath grinned while covering his cheeks with his hands.
âWhat the hell is this guy? Is he really the demon king of wrath?â
* * *
Rimmer was standing in front of the annex building like a loafer.
Knock knock.
He lightly knocked on the door and the head maid, Helen, opened the door and came outside.
âThe Light Wind squad leader?â
âHello.â
Rimmer smiled cheerfully and waved his hand.
âLong time no see. What brought you to the annex building?â
âIs Lady Sylvia inside?â
âAh, please wait a moment.â
Helen bowed at him and walked into the corridor.
âItâs been a while since the last time I came in here.â
Rimmer smiled while looking around the annex building.
âItâs such a mystery that Raon has such a cold personality despite being from a happy family like this.â
He could feel as soon as he entered the annex building that the atmosphere around him was the warmest in Zieghart.
He couldnât believe that monster Raon was born in such a cozy household.
âHuh? Swordsman Rimmer!â
âMister Elf is here!â
Yulius and Yua were passing by in the corridor and stopped upon finding Rimmer.
Theyâd gotten rather close because they kept meeting each other whenever Rimmer skipped the training and visited Roenn to play around. freew(e)bnove(l)
âWhat brought you here?â
The two children tilted their heads while looking up to Rimmer.
âIâmââ
âSir Rimmer.â
Sylvia was walking out from the end of the corridor when Rimmer was about to respond.
âAre you here because of Raon?â
âNo, thatâs not the case.â
Rimmer simply shook his head.
âI see.â
Sylvia bowed. Her eyes were showing a mixed emotion between relief and disappointment.
âI expected you to be more nervous.â
Rimmer smiled faintly while looking at Sylviaâs composed eyes.
âI thought you would be trembling from your worry about him.â
âIâm worried. Itâs only natural that Iâm worried about him because he was kidnapped recently.â
Sylvia quietly sighed.
âBut it doesnât change anything even if I keep worrying about him, and I canât hog him for myself forever. I just have to believe in Raon so that he wonât be worried about me. Thatâs all I can do.â
She quietly closed her eyes before opening them again. The distant light sparkling from her eyes looked like polished rubies.
Rimmer smiled while meeting her eyes.
âSheâs changed.â
She used to beg Rimmer to take care of Raon when he used to be a trainee, yet she had gained a clear trust towards him although she was still worried about him.
Sylviaâs heart had grown up, just like Raonâs height.
âThey are the exact same in this aspect.â
She looked frail, but her eyes were similar to Glenn and Raon. No matter what people said about her, she was clearly a part of their family.
âDonât worry about him too much.â
Rimmer smiled at Sylvia.
âHeâs not the type that is easily defeated. You mustâve heard that he even managed to beat up Garona and Cadis. We even took measures against kidnapping, so you can stay relieved.â
âI do feel relieved after hearing that.â
Sylvia nodded with a gentle smile.
âWhat brought you to the annex building if it wasnât because of Raon.â
âAh, itâs because of those children.â
Rimmer lowered his finger to point at Yua and Yulius, who were staring blankly at them.
âIâd like to scout them into the Light Wind squad.â
âScout?â
âLight Wind squad?â
Yua tilted her head, and Yuliusâs eyes sparkled as he said the Light Wind squad.
âYes. Do you want to join the Light Wind squad where Raon, the one who saved you, belongs? What do you think? Do you like it?â
âWow! Iâm coming!â
âPlease let me join!â
Yua energetically put her hand up, and Yulius grabbed Rimmerâs sleeve and started shaking it.
âHuhuhu! Thatâs great. Letâs stamp a seal right away.â
Rimmer grabbed Yua and Yuliusâs hands tightly with an expression that made him look like a scammer in every aspect.
âP-please wait!â
Sylvia hurriedly interfered and separated Rimmer from the children.
âHe looks too suspicious.â
She was standing in his way before she knew it because Rimmerâs face looked like a gambling addict for a moment.
âWh-what are you planning to do with the children?â
âIâd like to ask for their help.â
Rimmer shrugged his shoulders while looking at Yua and Yulius.
âThe Ragged Saint is going to bring some children here soon.â
âThe saint will?â
âYes. Iâd like Yua and Yulius to help them because they have some serious scars in their hearts.â
His expression was bitter as he looked at Yulius and Yua.
âI see, but why are you asking them to join the Light Wind squadâŚ?â
âAh, I wasnât lying about that.â
Rimmer caressed Yua and Yuliusâs hair with a grin on his face.
âBecause the Light Wind squad will be promoted into the Light Wind division as soon as Raon returns.â
* * *
* * *
Rumble!
A frightening bang could be heard inside the underground cavern where Robert's shadows were raised.
It was Derus Robert. He was stomping the ground with a red face. All he did was push the land with his foot, yet it had created a huge hole with no end in sight.
âHaaâŚâ
It looked like it wasnât enough to quell his anger, since he clenched his fist. The red blood flowed from the back of his hand and dropped from his grasp into the hole.
âMy lord.â
When Derus was about to stomp once again, Regel appeared from the darkness and knelt.
âDid you finish the investigation?â
âYes.â
Regel nodded and raised his gaze. The red atmosphere swaying around Derusâs eyes revealed his murderous urge.
âHe could kill me with his eyes alone.â
It wasnât strange for Derus to be so angry, as Loktan and the poison crew had disappeared along with the informants theyâd sentâand then there was the large number of recent damages they had taken.
In fact, he still managed to suppress his anger to a certain degree because he was Derus. Anyone else wouldâve already gone mad from anger.
âThe Black Towerâs members were at the mountain range instead of Raon.â
âThe Black Tower?â
âYes. They mustâve been trying to get the drake. The traces and corpse of the Black Commander have been confirmed.â
âHuhâŚâ
Derus laughed bitterly and dropped his gaze.
âSo are you telling me that they went on a war against the Black Tower instead of killing Raon Zieghart?â
âThat seems to be the case.â
Regelâs lips trembled as he nodded. Heâd been serving Derus for a long time, but he hadnât experienced such an intense bloodlust in a long time.
âWhat about Raon Zieghart?â
âHe arrived late at the scene and finished off the exhausted Black Commander and Loktan. He saved the villagers and even took the drakeâs corpse with himâŚâ
âHaaaaaaâŚâ
Derus sighed deeply while looking up to the dark ceiling.
âKuhahahahaha!â
He started laughing like a madman while sweeping his hair up from his forehead with a bloody hand.
âI canât even tell if heâs just lucky or if heâs managed to play with the whole world. I still canât tell for sure when it comes to him.â
Derus Robert lowered his head. His eyes used to be brimming with anger and bloodlust, but they quickly turned icy cold.
âMy lord?â
âDonât clash against Raon Zieghart for a while. Instead, you will gather information about him. Use the northern network to find out everything about himâfrom the moment of his birth until today.â
âUnderstood.â
Regel swallowed nervously and nodded.
âI wonât underestimate you anymore.â
Derus smiled faintly and shook the blood flowing from the scar on his hand into the hole.
âIâll find out everything about you before I put an end to your life.â
* * *
Before returning to the Sephia company, Raon first went to the Rokan branch of the Black Market. He followed the same path as the one he was previously introduced to, and Denning Rose was waiting for him inside a small room.
âThank you for your trouble, andâŚâ
Denning Rose stood up from the seat and leaned forward. It was a polite bow that still retained her dignity.
âThank you for avenging Ferenzâs life.â
Raon had never heard that name before, but he could understand who she was talking about. It mustâve been the agent heâd met in the village, who managed to deliver the information about the Black Tower while the mana of darkness was killing him.
âHe should be able to rest in peace now.â
Even though she was speaking nonchalantly, Raon could feel her deep sorrow. The agent called Ferenz mustâve been her cherished subordinate.
âIâve only met him once and our encounter was short, but I have a deep respect for him.â
Raon closed his eyes and opened his mouth. He wasnât simply saying it for courtesy. Using the Carbon Cultivation Technique to extend his life while the mana of darkness was creeping into him was such a painful task, that Raon wasnât even sure whether he himself would be able to do it.
âIâm sorry about it, as it happened because of us.â
âI-Iâm sorry.â
Raon and Dorian lowered their heads.
âNo, he was simply doing his job according to the request. He should be satisfied since the villagers were saved as a result.â
Denning Rose smiled faintly, saying that he shouldnât feel sorry about it. She was regaining her composure in no time, as expected of the successor of the Black Marketâs master.
âPlease sit for now.â
Raon followed her gesture and sat on the chair on her opposite side.
âWe are planning to protect Werthers Village for a while. Monsters are probably going to take the opportunity to attack the village since the drake that used to be the king of the mountain range is gone.â
âI see.â
Denning Rose seemed to have determined the same thing that Raon had.
âIâm so relieved to hear that.â
The Black Market was an organization of the lower class made to protect the people at the bottom of society. That mustâve been why she cared about the people before anything else.
Of course, they might obtain the right to circulate the mountain berries and chestnuts in return, but it was beneficial for both parties.
âDorian.â
Raon nodded while calling Dorianâs name.
âYes.â
Dorian understood his meaning and put his hand inside his belly pocket before taking out a basket and a box and placing them on the table.
âWhat are thoseâŚ?â
âThey are the products that I promised to bring. AndâŚâ
Raon smiled faintly and opened the lids of the basket and the box. The berry macarons and the berry pies that heâd received in Werthers Village could be seen.
âWeâve managed to protect them thanks to you and your agents.â
âI see.â
Denning Rose smiled and brought a piece of the pie in her mouth. Her eyes widened like a moon. Her face told him that she never knew it could be so delicious.
âI-itâs delicious. The crust is still crispy, and itâs brimming with the sweetness of the juice!â
âTry out the macarons now. They said they are new products that havenât been revealed yet.â
âNew productsâŚâ
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the macarons because she was satisfied with the pie. She quickly moved her hand to take a bite of a macaron.
âTh-this is also delicious. No, this is actually even more to my taste. Macarons are too sweet nowadays, but this has a perfect harmony between the refreshing taste of the fruit juice and the softness of the crust, which is so much better than the extreme sweetness we usually find. Itâs even better than the ones made by patisseries from large cities like Cameloon and Rokan⌠Ugh!â
Denning Rose blushed upon noticing that Raon and Dorian were staring blankly at her.
âYou must love desserts.â
Raon smiled while looking at the trembling macaron in her hand.
âShe isnât completely unapproachable.â
Raon had previously thought she was like an iron maiden because of how impeccable she was, but the way she described the dessert with a flushed expression made her look like a girl of her age.
The King of Essence also likes it. Let him taste oneâŚ
âYou stay out of this.â
Raon easily pushed Wrath away since he was clinging onto him to ask for some macarons.
âI-I like it a little.â
Denning Rose lowered her head and responded. Her earlobes had turned completely red.
âTh-the other successors from the Sephia company are also returning with their own results!â
She was clearly trying to change the subject, so Raon simply chuckled and moved on.
âDo you know what they brought?â
âYes, of course.â
Denning Rose nodded and placed the half-eaten macaron to the side. Her trembling eyes showed that she was suppressing her urge to finish eating it.
Th-there are some macarons left. The King of Essence also wantsâŚ
Raon figured that Wrath, who kept whining from the side, and Denning Rose, who couldnât take her eyes off of the macaron, would make a perfect couple.
âThe third daughter, Palen Sephia, managed to acquire highest-grade claws, teeth, and a horn. The second son, Dialon Sephia, is apparently bringing an entire stuffed drake. Lastly, the first son, Jeser SephiaâŚâ
Denning Rose looked at Dorian. She swallowed nervously and continued.
âIs bringing a drake, and a special one at that.â
âA special drake? Just like the one we killed?â
âYes. I heard the drake has a wind attribute. I didnât hear exactly how big the drake from the Jamari mountain range was, but itâs such a big drake that Iâm not sure whether we can win or notâŚâ
âWhat size is it?â
âI heard itâs over twenty-five meters long. Itâs really rare to have such a huge drake.â
Raon and Dorian looked at each other, their lips curving into a smile upon hearing that.
âIs it twenty-five meters long?â
âTwenty-five meters, I seeâŚâ
âIs that it?â