-Timing! That damn thing always gets the timing so disgustingly right!
Wrath shook his reddened head from side to side, expressing his rising anger.
'It's probably just a coincidence.'
Raon waved his hand dismissively.
-Coincidence, my ass! Do you think it's a coincidence that it throws rewards at such timing every time? It's clearly mocking this king!
Wrath clenched his fist, shouting that it was as clear as day.
-As soon as this king returns to Devildom, I'll beat them all within an inch of their lives!
'Beat them all? Then...'
As Raon was about to ask Wrath a question, Alice approached and tapped him on the shoulder.
"That's fortunate. We'll be able to return quickly."
Alice burst into her characteristic refreshing laugh, seemingly excited about meeting Sia.
"Yes. We were lucky."
Raon nodded as he dismissed the message.
"Seeing as you were the first to discover the Soul Crystal, it doesn't seem like mere luck."
Alice waved her hand, suggesting that the heavens seemed to have recognized their desire to save Sia.
"Agreed."
Rimmer raised his hand to shoulder height.
"Since you arrived on this island, you've been searching for the Soul Crystal without a second's rest. If it wasn't for you, no one would have found it."
He nodded, indicating that it was only natural for him to search.
"I'm just relieved that we can leave this island, regardless of who found it."
Martha let out a long sigh, saying she almost got sick of the sea in just one day.
"I didn't mind it."
Burren smiled softly, saying there was a romantic aspect to searching for the Soul Crystal while enjoying the scenery.
"I liked it too. The water was refreshing..."
Runaan nodded, saying she enjoyed the cool seawater.
"S-So, are we leaving right away? There are still many things to gather..."
Dorian's lips quivered as he mentioned the numerous supplies they still needed to collect.
"What kind of supplies are you talking about! What could there possibly be to gather from a deserted island?"
Krein furrowed his brow, unable to understand.
"Trees! Rocks! Grass! Flowers! Fruits! They're all things we can't obtain in Zieghart!"
Dorian snorted, questioning why Krein was asking about such obvious things.
"That's exactly why I'm asking! Why do we need those things?"
"I-I don't know now, but I'm sure they'll be useful later!"
Krein and Dorian glared at each other, their foreheads almost touching.
"Those two are at it again."
"I wonder who will win today?"
"Dorian might win with a sword, but he's no match for Krein in a war of words.
The Light Wind division swordsmen chuckled as they watched Krein and Dorian's verbal sparring. Thanks to finding the Soul Crystal, everyone's faces were filled with energy. They could all return in high spirits.
"Aunt. Do you need anything?"
Merlin smiled brightly as she massaged Alice's shoulders.
"Ah, no. Who are you to..."
Alice's chin trembled, seemingly uncomfortable with the old woman's mask Merlin was wearing.
"Why are you calling me Aunt!"
She let out an exasperated sigh.
"I call you Aunt because you are my aunt."
Merlin tilted her head, saying it was like asking why an apple is called an apple.
"R-Raon? What's going on here?"
Alice stepped back from Merlin, seemingly flustered. The term "Aunt" was used by a wife to address her husband's aunt, so she seemed genuinely surprised. Whoosh! Every time Merlin clung to Alice, Raon could feel Lust stirring up intense desire from the depths of the sea. She was genuinely angry.
"...Just ignore it."
Raon waved his hand, telling Alice not to pay attention to Merlin's words.
'To think even the aunt I trusted would end up like this.'
Seeing even Alice at a loss, it seemed there was no one in Zieghart who could match Merlin.
-As expected of a madwoman!
Wrath nodded emphatically, as if he had expected this.
-Fake madness cannot defeat true madness!
'Are you happy?'
-No, that's not it...
* * *
Raon returned to his lodging on Seville Island and pulled up the reward message he hadn't properly checked before.
[You have achieved an impossible feat with an ingenious idea.]
[You have defeated a Transcendent Warrior.]
[You have consoled an unfortunate soul.]
[All ability scores increase by 60 points.]
-S-Sixty? Sixty points at once?
Wrath's eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out.
-Is this even possible?
'It is possible.'
Raon nodded as he looked at the message stating the 60-point increase.
'We defeated a Transcendent Warrior at the Grandmaster level and consoled Lavera's soul. If anything, 60 points seems rather low.'
As he said it was low, he felt powerful mana seeping through his entire body.
While he hadn't felt much from ordinary point increases as his overall abilities improved, the sudden 60-point boost revived the exhilaration of his body and soul growing.
-B-But still, this is a bit...
'Even in Devildom, a Grandmaster-level fighter probably hasn't caught a Transcendent Warrior before.'
-...There has been.
Wrath hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.
'There has?'
-Of course, the circumstances were a bit different, but you're not the only talented one in this world!
He shook his head, telling Raon not to be so full of himself.
'Who was it? The demon king?'
-You don't need to know!
Wrath wrinkled his nose, seemingly unwilling to divulge any information.
'Hmm...'
Raon smacked his lips. He was curious about who it could be, but feeling it would be pointless to ask further, he checked the next message.
[A new trait
[The rank of the trait
[The rank of the trait
The second set of messages was about traits.
A new trait
-Grrr! They're giving so much! So damn much!
Ignoring Wrath's angry words, Raon checked the ability of Spirit Concealment.
'That's good, isn't it?'
The newly created trait was an ability that allowed for more efficient use of Sword Control. While it might not have much effect now, it would surely be a great help as its rank increased.
-Nooooo!
Wrath let out a scream upon seeing the ability of Spirit Concealment.
-If they keep spoiling you like this every time, what am I supposed to live on! You damn bastards!
'For the demon king to be so upset over something like this...'
-Just? Juuuust? Even the richest house on the continent would go bankrupt in less than a year if it were robbed every day! You fence of stolen goods!
He flailed his arms, asking how one could endure being robbed every day.
-Damn it! I should have just fallen from the beginning...
Wrath hung his head, calling it the biggest mistake of his demon life.
'If you had gone back then, you would have never tasted bead ice cream in your life. Are you okay with that?'
-Hmm...
Wrath's round shoulders trembled slightly.
'Besides, when we go back and wake up my sister, you'll have that mountain of ice cream you've been longing for, and a feast will be spread out, won't it?'
-Slurp...
The sound of Wrath swallowing his saliva could be heard.
-W-Will they open it right away?
He slightly raised his head. The disappointed look from losing his power had already disappeared, replaced by a glimmer of anticipation for ice cream and food.
'Of course. Even if I don't open it, grandfather or mom will.'
-Ahem! Then this magnanimous king shall understand! However, as you said, a grand feast... Aaaargh!
As Wrath was about to demand proper preparations, he suddenly collapsed with a scream upon seeing a pink current of air. Judging by his rolling eyes, he seemed to have fainted.
"L-Lust?"
Raon let out a gasp as he saw the pink current of air. Seeing the power of lust residing in his soul react, it was undoubtedly Lust.
"Yap!"
The space next to Lust split open, and Merlin popped out. It seemed they had come together from the start.
"Why did you two follow me all the way here?"
Raon nodded as calmly as possible, given Lust's presence.
'Neither of you should be here, right?'
Merlin had left Zieghart saying she would gather information, and Lust had promised to return to Devildom and wait for Wrath. Raon couldn't understand why these two had come all the way here.
"I was planning to leave quietly too, but I ended up making a bet with her."
Merlin chuckled, elbowing Lust.
"A bet? What kind of bet?"
"It was a bet about who could follow you more quietly."
Merlin proudly pointed at herself.
"Of course, I won! Thanks to you finding her earlier!"
She tilted her head slightly with an expression that said, 'I did well, didn't I?
"Ugh, I got too close because I wanted to see your face..."
Lust sniffled within the pink current of air, seemingly frustrated by her loss. As the aura of lust blossomed, the desire to embrace her dug into Raon's heart. He simultaneously utilized Wrath's anger and the Ring of Fire to push back the power of lust that Lust had naturally evoked.
"Haa..."
Raon let out a long sigh after calming his mind.
"Were those occasional glances I felt in Zieghart from you two as well?"
"That's right, it was us!"
Merlin grinned, saying she had been watching from afar.
"Yes. I watched you in this state..."
Lust nodded, saying she had followed by dissolving her soul into the atmosphere.
"Ah..."
Raon clutched his throbbing head.
'I'm going crazy. Really...'
They're telling him about their stalking contest right to his face, with the winner laughing and the loser crying. He couldn't make sense of the situation. In fact, it wouldn't be strange to arrest them both and throw them in jail. But if he actually did that, those two would probably enjoy it.
"My head hurts so much right now, I don't know how to explain this..."
Raon let out a long sigh as he looked at Merlin and Lust in turn.
"Are you praising me? Yes, praise me!"
Merlin spread her arms, demanding a prize for the winner.
"Hnng..."
In contrast, Lust was dropping tears. She seemed genuinely upset about losing the stalking contest.
"There's no winning or losing in stalking! You criminals!"
Raon finally couldn't hold back and shouted.
"You! Didn't you say you were going back? Are you not going to keep your promise?"
"I lost..."
Lust was lost in despair over losing to Merlin, not even listening to Raon's words.
"And you said you needed to gather information! If you're going to be like this, you might as well have stayed in Zieghart!"
"Give me a prize! Anything will do!"
Merlin kept trying to hug Raon, insisting that the winner should get a prize.
-Urgh, what's going on...
Wrath slowly rose, as if regaining consciousness.
'Wrath, you're awake.'
Raon knelt down to support Wrath.
'They say they've been following us and having a stalking contest! Those glances we felt from behind were from these two!'
Raon told Wrath about Merlin and Lust's stalking contest.
-...
Wrath looked at Merlin and Lust with calm eyes. Unlike his usual self, he had a serious aura. He seemed genuinely angry.
'Yes, Wrath! You should say something...'
Just as Raon was about to step back, trusting in Wrath.
-I just want to die!
Wrath screamed and slammed his own forehead into the ground. Thud! Perhaps due to the will of his spirit body, he collapsed with his eyes glazed over.
'Wrath!'
-N-Now I can be at peace...
Wrath let out a faint laugh as he dropped his head, falling back into unconsciousness.
"Now I can be the only one stalking you! I'm the true stalker!"
"To think that I, who followed Wrath for thousands of years, would lose..."
"..."
After looking at the laughing Merlin and crying Lust, Raon drew the Heavenly Drive sword from its sheath.
'I don't know what to do anymore.'
Raon raised the Heavenly Drive sword to his own forehead and struck himself, following Wrath's example.
* * *
The next day. Raon woke up and left Seville Island with the Light Wind division, carrying an uneasiness about the disappeared Merlin and Lust. Standing on the deck watching the breaking waves, he recalled how yesterday, in Lavera's mental world, the lump of despair had seeped into his feet.
'Nothing will happen, right?'
Though he felt a bit uneasy, he smacked his lips, thinking there wouldn't be any problems since the energy had been purified once. As the island disappeared and the seagulls diminished, he heard footsteps from behind. Turning around, he saw Rimmer standing with his hand raised.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Rimmer chuckled, placing his interlocked hands behind his head.
"Nothing much."
Raon shook his head, saying he was just looking at the sea.
"Is that so? But why do you look so worried? Is there a problem with the Soul Crystal?"
Rimmer narrowed his eyes, noting that Raon didn't look well.
"Ah, it has nothing to do with that."
Raon shook his head. He was only anxious because he didn't know where Merlin and Lust might be following from, not because of any concerns about the Soul Crystal.
"That's good then."
Rimmer chuckled and leaned his arms on the railing. He watched the breaking waves for a while before speaking.
"You can finally wake your sister now. You must be happy."
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. However..."
Raon nodded calmly.
"I'm more glad that I can ease the worries of my mother, father, and two grandfathers."
Glenn, Rector, Sylvia, and Edgar had been searching for ways to save Sia day and night, constantly visiting her hospital room. Being able to alleviate the worries of those four people made him as happy as waking Sia.
"The more I see, the more surprised I am."
Rimmer turned his gaze to Raon.
"Huh? What..."
"It's surprising that you, who used to push away relationships, have come to cherish family so much. Not too long ago, you couldn't even call Alice 'aunt'."
He grinned, saying he liked the change in Raon.
"Thanks to my family, I realized that I don't need to be so wary of people."
"Looks like Sylvia taught you that. She's stubborn as always."
"While my mother certainly taught me a lot, the people in the annex aren't my only family."
Raon shook his head as he looked at Rimmer.
"Hm?"
"The Light Wind division is also my family. Of course, that includes you, Vice Leader..."
It wasn't just Sylvia who had made him who he was now, someone who cherished relationships. It was also thanks to Rimmer and the Light Wind division swordsmen. If they hadn't all connected with him, he would still be alone, thinking only of revenge.
"Aaaaargh!"
Rimmer shook his head vigorously, his arms trembling.
"Can't you see how cringeworthy that is! It's making me curl up!"
"Ah, no. That's..."
Raon's lips quivered as his face reddened.
"I'm joking."
Rimmer laughed, lightly hitting Raon's head.
"Well, thanks for considering even me as family. Still, it's embarrassing how you always seem to be looking at someone."
Despite his words, he wore a breezy smile that suggested he was pleased.
"And I feel the same way."
Rimmer nodded and slowly turned his body.
"You and the Light Wind division are as precious to me as Siyana. Though not as much as gambling, of course."
He left the deck after dropping that playful remark at the end.
-Is he crazy too?
Wrath tilted his head, seemingly amazed.
'He's always been like that.'
Rimmer occasionally showed a serious side beneath his light and frivolous appearance. He was someone impossible to hate.
'This is why the Light Wind division stays together.'
Raon turned back to look at the waves, wearing a smile similar to Rimmer's.
* * *
Except for one encounter with a small group of pirates, the Azure Wind was able to return to its original port without incident.
"Let's take the dimensional gate and go home right away! Lawaine will pay for it!"
Alice gestured energetically as soon as she got off the ship.
"M-Me? Why should I..."
Lawaine blinked, seemingly unable to understand.
"Because of you, we wasted time searching for those useless pentagon stones!"
Alice kicked Lawaine's behind, her brow furrowed.
"Aaagh!"
Lawaine collapsed to the ground, hit before he could even defend himself.
"H-How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this..."
"If you didn't know, then pay up."
Alice placed her hand on Lawaine's head while standing with one leg bent, a typical gangster pose.
"A-Alright..."
Lawaine turned his back while sniffling. Only Raon could see him cursing Alice under his breath.
"I'll pay for it, so don't worry."
As Raon chuckled and moved to help Lawaine up...
"Lady Alice!"
A short, hunched middle-aged man ran up to Alice on the deck of the Azure Wind.
"We've found a real trace of the young master!"