Whap.
The drops of blood freely floating around the white page created a grotesque figure.
It looked like a human, but it wasn't. 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.
"Ah…"
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.
'…How is that even possible?'
The booklet was called the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon.
It was an ancient artifact that allowed her to foresee heaven's flow by inserting humans between the flow of the sun and moon, and Raon's future should've 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.
'It looked terrified…'
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 Moon's page back.
'I've even read about Glenn Zieghart. How is it possible that I can't read Raon Zieghart?'
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.Fị𝒏dd 𝒏ew upd𝒂t𝒆s on n(o)v/e/l𝒃in(.)com
She couldn't believe that she couldn't see Raon's picture when the book had properly shown the lyrics about Glenn's reaction.
'Moreover, I was focused on Raon Zieghart.'
She wasn't trying to learn about the continent's 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 couldn't think straight.
"Haa…"
Ariel exhaled a rough breath and read the lyrics that were written before her visit at Zieghart.
'According to this prophecy, I should've left that place with Zieghart's name supporting me.'
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, she'd thought it was because of Glenn Zieghart's transcendental power.
'But that wasn't the case.'
Raon's visit had caused an issue in the conference, where she should've been able to absorb the neutral factions. The fighting contest that should've given her fame only ended up raising Raon's reputation to the sky.
The reason the Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon's prediction ended up being wrong was because it couldn't read what Raon Zieghart was hiding.
Grit.
Ariel loudly ground her teeth.
'Of course the future changed. Heaven's flow couldn't read him.'
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 couldn't read about Raon.
'But why am I unable to see his future?'
The Sacred Tome of Sun and Moon was capable of reading even Glenn Zieghart's future, someone who was called the strongest in the continent. That was why she couldn't believe that it couldn't read Raon, who was nothing but dirt in comparison.
'And what was that demonic shape that appeared in the beginning, and the reason even the blood was terrified?'
She was frustrated because she couldn't get any answers.
"Don't tell me…"
Ariel bit her lip and pressed on the table.
'He is also going to influence the next incident.'
Getting the Six Kings' name on her back, absorbing the neutral factions, and gaining a reputation through the fighting tournament was important, but the biggest incident hadn't happened yet.
Since the Five Divine Orders were finally going to be settled after that incident, she couldn't afford any issue for that.
Ariel locked her fingers and narrowed her eyes.
'Should I kill him now?'
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.
'Alright. I don't need to push myself that hard.'
Unlike the previous incidents, might was the most important factor for the next one.
Since Raon hadn't even reached the realm of Grandmaster, there was practically zero chance that he could mess up the upcoming event.
'But it could still happen…'
Ariel sighed while pressing her palm to her forehead.
"Haa…"
She massaged her heated temple while chewing on her lip.
"He really is a troublesome guy."
* * *
Zieghart
Lord's Manor
Audience Chamber
"This damned bastard did it again!"
Glenn furrowed his brow while reading the report. His hands were trembling violently from his intense anger as he held the document.
"Hmm…"
Chad, who had brought the report to him, swallowed nervously as he watched Glenn.
"The Light Wind division leader must've played another prank."
Roenn smiled gently. It looked like he could guess the reason for his anger.
"What's written this time?"
"There's a single line. It's written 'Raon's mess was a great success! The Thespian Emperor is so disappointed! Wow!'…"
Glenn closed his eyes and burnt the report he was holding without even leaving ashes behind.
"The exclamation marks are the most irritating part."
"Huhuhu!"
Roenn laughed bitterly. He sounded like he didn't expect it to be that bad.
"I'm wondering what the most satisfying way to kill him would be."
Glenn sighed and tapped on the throne's armrest.
"But it's still better than when he used to live like a corpse, isn't it?"
"That's true, but he is going too far. He is seriously too extreme."
He sighed and spread the second report placed on the right. It was the real report, sent by Sheryl.
"She is so different."
Glenn nodded in satisfaction upon seeing that there were more than four pages of the report.
However, his eyes started to flap like a bee's wings as soon as he spread the third page.
"Damn it…"
Thick wrinkles appeared on his brow.
"My lord?"
Roenn's eyes widened. It had been a long time since the last time he'd seen Glenn so angry.
He was curious about what was written there to make him react like that.
"Wh-why…?"
Chad's jaw also dropped in surprise.
"It says that Raon won against three highest-level Masters in the fighting contest. He used the second technique of the Azure Sky Sword, and…"
Glenn continued along with a painful breath.
"He declared to the Five Divine Orders' disciples that 'You won't reach my sky'."
Glenn slammed the throne, regretting not attending the event. The armrest, repaired countless times, crumbled once more into powder.
"How could I miss that scene?!"
Crimson lightning rampaged above his hand, showing that he was frustrated from the bottom of his heart.
"Err…"
Chad's jaw had dropped so far that it looked like it could never return to normal.
"Huhuhu."
On the other hand, Roenn laughed gently.
"That is indeed regrettable."
He licked his lips. It looked like he wanted to see Raon in action just like Glenn.
"It's all because of those damned Five Demons…"
While Glenn was grinding his teeth, a small piece of paper fell from the report's envelope.
"Hmm?"
Roenn started to pick up the piece of paper and suddenly widened his eyes.
"M-my lord! Look at this!"
He leaped onto the platform and handed out the paper to Glenn.
"R-Raon?"
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.
"Wh-what is this?"
"It says on the back that it's a picture. It's apparently drawn by an artifact made by the youngest daughter of House Yonaan."
Roenn read the explanation written on the picture.
"Huh!"
Glenn stared blankly at a picture for a while before he briskly stood up.
"My lord?"
"This isn't time to be standing around."
"Where are you going…?"
"I'm going to ask Vulcan to make a frame. It needs to be an unbreakable frame."
He descended from the platform, embracing the picture with utmost care.
"Ah…"
Chad's lips trembled violently.
'Ask Vulcan to make a frame?'
Vulcan, a second-to-none blacksmith in the continent who had forged Glenn's Heavenly Tremor and Raon's Heavenly Drive.
Glenn was apparently going to ask the continent's blacksmith to make a frame, which was complete insanity.
"My lord!"
Roenn sighed quietly while looking at Glenn.
'Yes, stop him!'
Chad nodded at Roenn. It was a signal to please stop him, but what Roenn said was completely unexpected.
"How about using orcon as material? That will make it unbreakable."
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.
"Good idea."
Glenn nodded and ran outside the audience chamber.
"I knew it."
Chad gasped while watching Glenn and Roenn's backs.
'Raon Zieghart holds the real authority within this household…'
* * *
* * *
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.
Yaaawn…
Wrath raised his head while yawning like a crocodile.
Don't 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?!
'I've slept enough.'
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.
Ugh…
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.
'Hmm…'
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 didn't want to argue first thing in the morning.
'But it's not just advantageous. There's a drawback too.'
Drawback?
'Yes. It's difficult to get out of bed.'
He'd been feeling drowsy and lazy, probably because of Sloth's effect.
He would've 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 Essence's wrath. What's wrong with your willpower?!
He shouted, asking how it was even possible that Raon could endure the demon kings' emotions.
'I wonder.'
The answer was obviously the Ring of Fire and power of the soul that he'd 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.
'What brings her here so early in the morning?'
She knocked on the door, and Raon opened it for her.
"Ah, you were already awake."
Denning Rose lowered her head, apologizing for the early visit.
"That's okay. I was training anyway."
"Are you already training after how much you bullied—I mean, trained the swordsmen yesterday?"
"It's just the natural thing to do."
"Ah…"
Her eyes widened, surprised by the fact that training was a natural thing to do.
"By the way, what brings you here so early?"
"I have something to tell you."
Denning Rose grabbed her sleeve and raised her eyes.
"The Five Demons have been suspicious recently."
"The Five Demons?"
"Yes. 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."
Wisdom emanated from her sole eye.
"It looks like the Five Divine Orders' 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."
"That's true, since I had an issue with four of them. I think the only one I haven't had an issue with is the Holy Sword Alliance."
The White Blood Religion's leader and the Black Tower's vice master were targeting him.
Since he also had an issue with a senator of the South-North Union, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was an enemy of them all except for the Holy Sword Alliance.
"That is because the Holy Sword Alliance hasn't 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."
Denning Rose fidgeted while saying that the Holy Sword Alliance was actually the most dangerous among them.
"Hmm…"
Raon nodded while watching Denning Rose's hand.
'That's true.'
The Holy Sword Alliance was a group of hungry demons that craved swordsmanship. Since Raon could use the Azure Sky Sword and techniques that he'd created himself, they were obviously going to chase him.
"Did you come here to tell me about them?"
"Yes. I thought I should tell you as quickly as possible."
"Thank you. I'll heed your advice and leave right after the festival."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Denning Rose smiled, saying that it was a natural thing to do, just like Raon's training.
"I'll be back after sunrise."
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.
'She is the only person around here, right?'
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 didn't have time to hide in the shadows.
"Ah?"
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.
"Why are you…?"
"I came to check because I could feel a presence. Are you already on the move?"
Raon created an aura barrier and walked up to Sheryl.
"I came here because you started to move. Aren't you ever tired, even when you trained your crew until dawn?"
Sheryl shook her head, asking if he was tired.
"It has to be done."
He provided the identical response as he had to Denning Rose.
"I see."
Sheryl wasn't surprised, unlike Denning Rose. Her faint smile showed that she liked the answer.
"Yesterday'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."
A satisfied smile appeared on Sheryl's face as she said that she hadn't seen such an enjoyable sight in a while.
"It's the minimum I should do as Zieghart's representative."
"Wow, that's great!"
Her smile deepened even further.
"The head of house would've been proud of you if he had seen it."
"He would?"
Raon licked his lips. He felt like Glenn wasn't really going to be impressed with that much.
"He definitely would."
Sheryl patted his shoulder while saying that it was for sure.
"Hmm, I…"
Just as Raon was about to tell her that he couldn't 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.
"The great me has arrived!"
It was Rimmer. He kicked the front door open and entered. It was unknown where he'd been, but he was completely drunk.
"That damned bastard…"
Sheryl's 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, who'd been protecting the Light Wind division without even sleeping.
'They are so different.'
The Heavenly Blade division leader was Glenn's most trusted vassal, and her might was at the Grandmaster's 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.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed to Sheryl, conveying his heartfelt gratitude.
"What's wrong with you?"
Sheryl quickly blinked, unable to understand why he was bowing.
"Actually…"
Just as he raised his head to explain, a large message appeared in front of his eyes.
[The trait Envy's ability has been unlocked.]
N-no! It's another damned doormat!
Wrath, who had been blinking sleepily, suddenly erupted into screams.