The red glow of the moon emerged through the rain clouds. Derus Robert turned around, looking down on the world under the moonlight like the wolf from the legend.
Cubara was reflected in his emotionless eyes. She had left after their previous talk, but she reappeared in front of him.
"My lord."
Cubara went on one knee and placed her hand on the ground.
"Sirith is dead."
Her voice remained calm as she notified Sirith's death, speaking as if it were an everyday conversation.
"I know."
Derus tapped on his forehead, where the brood mother of the rage worm was located.
"The rage worm that I placed in his heart is gone. And…"
His gaze remained serene as he nodded as if he knew it would happen.
"I thought this might happen since Raon Zieghart has escaped from many other crises before."
"..."
Cubara quietly raised her gaze without saying anything.
"How did the battle proceed?"
"Sirith must've been confident that he could finish him off. He didn't place any Shadows, and it's impossible to find out the exact situation."
"Tsk."
Derus Robert clicked his tongue in displeasure. He seemed more irritated by the fact that he couldn't learn about the situation rather than Sirith's death.
"According to the agent who arrived at the scene after that, Raon Zieghart managed to survive in an exhausted state, and the Deathbringer Revenants were burning."
Cubara repeated the report she'd heard a moment ago without showing any emotion at all in her eyes.
"What about Sirith?"
"The agent was unable to confirm the reason for his death because the corpse was burnt before he arrived. The battlefield was in shambles, as if it had been bombarded by something, and the twelve of the burning Deathbringer Revenants were intact."
"Twelve of them were intact…"
Derus closed his eyes while stroking his beardless chin.
'Which means Raon Zieghart finished Sirith off before those twelve could act.'
The Deathbringer Revenants only obeyed the owner of the aura that was registered in their broken hearts.
Because their manipulator, Sirith, had died, they were incapacitated before they could do anything.
'I won't have to worry about any information leaking.'
The rage worm engraved in Sirith didn't transfer any emotion of fear or anxiety.
That meant that Raon had slain Sirith in an instant to stop the Deathbringer Revenants. The possibility of an information leak was extremely low.
'I can't completely overlook the possibility, though…'
He didn't need to worry about his name being disclosed since Sirith was brainwashed to die the moment he tried to deliver the name 'Derus' or 'Robert'. However, it was still possible that he could've said something about the Deathbringer Revenants. Derus decided that he should be careful.
He calmly opened his eyes and licked his lips.
'They are still unstable.'
The Deathbringer Revenants had managed to carry out multiple assassinations for him, but they still seemed to need a lot of improvement if they had to kill an extremely powerful warrior.
'I need to make them keep attacking the target in front of them even if the manipulator dies. It could be a good idea to have them feign death before they explode.'
He managed to figure out how to improve the Deathbringer Revenants even though he didn't even watch the fight.
Derus took out a small piece of paper from his clothes. He wrote down the methods he had just come up with and gave the paper to Cubara.
"Send this to the factory."
"Yes."
The paper on Cubara's hand melted down like bubbles.
"Enhance the factory's security. Report to me right away if anything happens."
"Understood."
Derus gave out additional instructions before he turned around. He furrowed his brow while looking at the bloody moon.
'But does that mean he… managed to slay twelve Deathbringer Revenants right after defeating a Grandmaster with Sword Field Creation?'
Twelve of them being intact implied that the other twelve had either exploded or been eliminated. He couldn't believe that Raon managed to create that result despite being extremely exhausted.
'He's becoming more and more of a monster.'
He was already surprising enough during their last encounter, but he must've grown even further. The way he kept getting infinitely stronger felt like a demon.
Derus briefly sighed and turned around. Cubara was still there instead of leaving.
"Do you have more reports?"
"Yes."
Cubara nodded.
"The ones you have been waiting for have arrived in Cameloon."
She delivered the most recent news she'd received with a calm voice.
"Who's there?"
Derus Robert's eyes glowed red just like the moonlight shining upon him.
"Both of them have arrived. Cameloon has apparently turned into a battlefield as a result."
"I see. There's no way they would stay quiet after hearing 'that thing' is in Cameloon.'
Emotions of excitement and murder started to appear around his lips.
"As for Orgos, he moved towards Banneret, the Five Divine Orders' city, direction just like you predicted. He seems to be looking for Raon Zieghart."
Cubara bowed to Derus Robert and quietly stood up, implying that she'd finished delivering all of her messages.
She left the garden with a calm expression on her face, as if she'd returned to being a normal maid.
A frightening smile appeared on Derus Robert's face as he fiddled with a lively blue flower petal.
'His life is over now.'
He had only dispatched Sirith as an experiment, and he had been planning on having Raon Zieghart killed through someone else to begin with.
Orgos was famous for being narrow-minded. His arrival implied that Raon was pretty much dead.
'I might even be able to kill Glenn Zieghart at this rate.'
Glenn didn't show it on the outside, but he greatly cherished Raon. If Raon ended up dying, the old man was also bound to act.
While Derus was planning for the future in his head, small footsteps could be heard from behind the garden.
"Father?"
He looked around upon hearing the tired voice and saw that his youngest son, Lephon, was tilting his head in a dusty uniform.
"What are you doing here?"
He placed his worn-out training sword on his shoulder and walked up to Derus.
"I was having a night stroll."
Derus changed his murderous smile into a gentle one and examined Lephon.
"You must've been training all along."
"Yes!"
Lephon nodded proudly.
"You are working hard. Is it because of your idol?"
"Yes. I can't be idling around when Sir Raon is always getting stronger."
He grinned while pointing at his training sword, which had Raon's autograph on it.
"Do you wish to follow his path?"
"I know I'm lacking in talent compared to him, but I definitely want to follow him!"
"I see."
Derus Robert hugged Lephon with a benevolent smile on his face.
"You shall be able to achieve it."
He gently patted his son's back and revealed the murderous intent that he'd been hiding.
"You will definitely be able to do it."
* * *
* * *
Raon reduced his speed and checked the messages in front of him.
[You've gained an impossible achievement.]
[You've overcome the limit of your realm.]
[You've overcome the limit of your stamina.]
[All stats have increased by 25.]
The stats had increased by a huge amount at once, probably because he—as a Master—had defeated Cloud, who was a Grandmaster, and even overcame the assault of the Deathbringer Revenants and Sirith that followed.
Creak.
His limbs trembled. The powerful resonance coming from inside his body made his ruptured muscles and fractured bones even stronger, like a blade being hardened from tempering.
The fire that was protecting the pillar of his soul also burned more fiercely and suppressed the evil emotions of the demon kings.
There was no pain at all. A warm light green exhilaration gently brushed past his spine.
Twenty-five points at once was a huge reward. However, the real deal wasn't even there yet.
[The trait Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation has increased in rank.]
[The trait Glacier has increased in rank.]
[The trait Water Resistance has increased in rank.]
[The trait Fire Resistance has increased in rank.]
The two cultivation techniques had ranked up to seven stars, and his lower energy center resonated with the Ring of Fire.
The sedate wave connected all around his body, expanding his energy center to store more aura, and the impurities were removed from his mana circuits—reaching all the way to his capillaries.
It felt like cold water was cooling down the heat all around his body.
'It's finally seven stars.'
It could be thanks to the Sword Field Creation that utilized both fire and ice or from defeating a Grandmaster.
The rank-up of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier filled him with an even more intense exhilaration than the stats because they hadn't advanced at all for a while.
Thinking about using new techniques of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Wrath brought a smile to his face.
'The resistances have also increased.'
The two resistances connected to the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier had also increased. Fire Resistance was still low, but Water Resistance was high enough to even withstand a Grandmaster-tier magician's attack for a moment.
Wh-what?! Why are there so many messages?! Don't tell me there's more—Gasp!𝑅êạd new chapt𝒆rs on no/v/e/l𝒃in(.)com
Wrath's eyes were blinking like a toad, and a new set of messages appeared above his head.
[The trait Bleeding Curse has increased in rank.]
[The trait Backstab has increased in rank.]
[The trait Iron Will has increased in rank.]
[The trait Aura of Death Resistance has increased in rank.]
[The trait Magic Armor of the Snow Flower has increased in rank.]
Since they were about the assassination-related traits, they must've been earned from defeating Sirith and the Deathbringer Revenants.
I-it wasn't over! How is this happening?!
Wrath grasped his head and shook it in extreme irritation.
'Well, I deserve this much of a reward.'
Raon smiled cheerfully while looking at the floundering Wrath.
'After all, I defeated a Grandmaster.'
A Master had defeated a Grandmaster and had even defeated the assassins that came after that. It wasn't strange at all to get that much of a reward.
A Grandmaster isn't even a big deal! The King of Essence could smash him with a single finger!
Wrath ground his teeth, saying the rewards were too generous for such a trivial achievement.
'Okay, okay.'
Raon ignored Wrath and examined the messages once again.
'My body and mind have been fortified and even my martial arts improved.'
He'd gained twenty-five whole stats at once and various traits had ranked up.
The rank-up of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier was the best part, and he figured he would need a long time to get used to his new power.
Damn it!
Wrath shouted towards the sky.
This doesn't make any sense!
'What are you talking about now?'
Raon turned off the messages and turned his head towards Wrath.
There's a saying between humans that what goes around comes around!
'There is.'
But why is the King of Essence only getting shit as a result?! He even gave you his energy for the sake of the humiliated deceased a moment ago, so why are you the only one getting all the rewards?!
'Because you aren't human…'
The King of Essence is more human than you, you bastard!
'Hmm…'
Raon couldn't easily refute that. It wasn't because he didn't consider himself to be inhuman, but because Wrath was far too human.
This world just keeps hating on the King of Essence! This is unreasonable!
Wrath rubbed his eyes with his plump forearm.
'In that case…'
Raon licked his lips and stopped his steps.
'I'll reward you instead of heaven.'
He patted Wrath's trembling shoulder.
Stop your dogshit! How dare you, insignificant human!
'I'll buy you ice cream. Wouldn't that be a fine return?'
Wrath suddenly stopped swearing upon hearing that.
'I'll buy you the ice cream and the food you want to eat. I'm going to Cameloon anyway.'
Wrath raised his gaze at an extremely slow pace. His eyes had turned red.
'Did it not work?'
Raon realized that he was looking down on him too much by trying to appease him with food when he was so angry.
'I'm sorry, I looked down…'
How many?
'…Th-three?'
Heaven isn't that stingy! Be more generous!
'…'
* * *
Zieghart
Lord's Manor
Audience Chamber
Glenn was reading a golden booklet while sitting on his throne.
The hand turning the page was as gentle and careful as a mother's touch playing with a newborn baby.
"Haa."
Glenn raised his gaze after he focused on reading the book for a while. He closed his eyes and exclaimed.
"The 'Don't Hide My Sky.' line must be the best after all."
He touched the book of Raon's gospel, full of emotions as he said that he was deeply impressed.
"Huhuhu."
Roenn laughed gently, took out the second volume of Raon's gospel, and opened it.
"As for me, the part where Sephia's president visited us and praised Young Master Raon is my favorite. Praise from a stranger makes parents the happiest, after all."
"That was indeed rather refreshing."
Glenn nodded in agreement.
"Raon's gospel will have to gain lots of content when the young master Raon returns. 'You won't reach my sky.' That line needs to be recorded no matter what."
"Yes. We also need to describe in detail how he defeated three opponents on his own."
While the two of them were planning for the new section of Raon's gospel, urgent footsteps could be heard from outside.
Wham!
The audience chamber's door opened without a knock and Chad, the leader of the Shadow Agents, entered. His completely pale expression suggested that the news he brought was far beyond being a serious matter.
"What's the matter?"
Glenn noticed the emergency in Chad's expression and asked about the situation before anything else.
"Th-there's a big problem!"
The leader of the Shadow Agents ran over the carpet at the center and went on his knees. He went straight to the point without any greeting.
"The city of Five Divine Orders, Banneret, is under attack by the Holy Sword Alliance and the White Blood Religion!"
"The Holy Sword Alliance…"
Glenn's red eyes snapped into a frightening light.
"So, they have finally emerged. Moreover, even the White Blood Religion is on the move…"
Nervousness was seeping into the wrinkles around Roenn's eyes.
"Tell me the details about the situation. Which ones are attacking them?"
"Th-the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion's leader have personally brought their masters of swords and apostles!"
"They are attacking themselves?!"
Glenn shot up from his chair upon hearing that the two leaders were personally present.
"Yes. The four leaders of the Five Divine Orders are currently stopping them. And inside the city…"
Chad told him everything that had happened inside the city.
"Does that mean that Raon and the Light Wind division escaped from the city while protecting the civilians?"
"Yes. The Heavenly Blade division leader and the Light Wind division leaders are stopping the master of the sword and apostles in front of the rampart."
"Haa…"
Glenn sighed quietly.
'That's a relief.'
He was worried about Raon because he tended to overexert himself too much. That was why he was somewhat relieved to hear that he had escaped from the city alongside the Light Wind division.
'Those two should manage to safely return.'
Sheryl and Rimmer had survived countless battlefields. They should be able to find a way to retreat as long as the Raon and the Light Wind division could leave the battle.
'Even so… I should still go.'
The Five Divine Orders and the Five Demons both had transcenders who could achieve anything if they wanted.
Glenn figured he should personally attend to the scene and settle things to prevent any potential issues.
As soon as Glenn decided to head to Banneret, the Heavenly Tremor floated by itself from next to the throne and entered his grasp.
The frightening resonance coming from the Heavenly Tremor seemed to express his wrath.
"The dimensional door at Banneret should've been destroyed, so Cameloon should be the closest location. Get it ready right away."
"Th-that's true. However, that one is also unusable right now."
Glenn went down the stairs from the platform while pulling on his coat, and Chad lowered his trembling head.
"…What do you mean?"
"I've already contacted Cameloon to prepare the dimensional door, and they said they are also under attack by the Black Tower."
"The Black Tower?"
"Th-they said the tower's master and vice master are both present."
Glenn's eyes wavered violently, just like Chad's trembling voice.
"But there should've been no reason for the Black Tower to attack Cameloon out of nowhere."
"The tower's master was looking for something in Cameloon and clashed with the Archmage of Eternal Flame, Chamber. And their vice master destroyed Cameloon's facilities before heading south."
"Chamber…"
Glenn slightly bit his lip. Chamber wasn't a good matchup against the Black Tower's master. She wasn't going to be defeated, but she wasn't going to win either.
"Why is the Black Tower's master suddenly attacking Cameloon… Wait, did you say south?"
He was putting his thoughts together and suddenly came to a halt.
"You said Raon evacuated the civilians, didn't you?"
"In-indeed."
Chad nodded and spread the map that he'd brought in his clothes.
He put his finger on the Five Divine Orders' city, Banneret, then pointed at Cameloon, which was nearby.
"Cameloon is the closest and most trustworthy place from Banneret."
He continued with trembling lips.
"The Light Wind division is going to clash against the Black Tower's vice master at this rate!"