Though he appeared to be just a handsome merchant, this man was surrounded by an absolute aura that even Transcendents couldn't possess. Facing those golden eyes that openly revealed his desires, a heart-stopping fear and tension washed over Raon.
'The Monarch of Greed, Greed...'
Raon pressed his lips tightly as he looked at the black-haired, golden-eyed young man.
'Why is he here?'
That man, who looked like a wealthy merchant, was Greed, the Monarch of Greed who had descended upon the Suphren Holy Kingdom. Seeing the monocle that supposedly reflected one's true nature and his neatly pressed shirt, Raon recalled the overwhelming force he had displayed back then.
'This is dangerous.'
Greed is a demon king that even Wrath acknowledges as a formidable opponent. As one of the highest-ranking lords of the Devildom, they couldn't have defeated him even if Raon and Chamber were in their normal state. But now, Raon could barely move a finger, and Chamber was being treated by Saintess Olga after using magic to the brink of death.
Karoon, too, was exhausted from single-handedly holding off Black King Sigel and the high-ranking demonized humans. There was absolutely no chance of winning in a fight.
-I was hoping he wouldn't show up...
Wrath frowned deeply as he looked at Greed.
-As expected, that gold-obsessed bastard was connected to this tower.
'What do you mean?'
Raon turned only his eyes to look at Wrath.
-Don't you remember? A while back, someone claiming to be from this tower came out and tried to kill you and my subordinates. It forced me to step in personally.
'The Flame Demon General Orgoth?'
-I don't know the name. Anyway, when I fought him, I could smell Greed's stench. I had a hunch when we entered this place because of the money smell, and it turns out I was right.
Wrath clicked his tongue briefly, saying that Greed seemed to have nurtured the Black Tower.
'I don't remember.'
Raon furrowed his brows deeply. Since he couldn't recall, it seemed this conversation had happened while he was unconscious.
'No, whatever the case, that's not important right now.'
Now that Greed had revealed himself, it didn't matter whether this was his faction or not. They needed to focus on finding a way to escape. With a cracking sound, Greed tore apart the frozen Devildom Pathway with his true power and stepped out beyond the dimension.
Meeting his eyes, a chilling sensation crept up to Raon's neck as if death itself had arrived. The overwhelming presence made him feel as if his very soul was being distorted.
'Of all people, why him...'
If it had been Envy, there might have been a way to deceive him, but tricking Greed was impossible.
'Because of that monocle.'
That monocle Greed wore was a special artifact that revealed the essence of one's existence. Unlike other demon kings, he would know through that monocle that Raon wasn't Wrath, making it impossible to act.
"It's you again."
Greed lifted his monocle slightly and twisted his lips.
"Wrath's vessel."
Despite having shown himself fighting as the Monarch of Wrath, Greed didn't think of him as Wrath, but called him a vessel. His voice, seemingly displeased, made Raon's chest ache as if being stabbed by needles just from hearing it.
-No matter who you are, deceiving that gold-obsessed bastard is impossible.
Wrath snorted as he looked at Raon.
-Not only because of that monocle, but the very idea that I, the great me, would end up in such a state because of that worm is absurd to begin with.
He shook his head, saying that this time, acting wouldn't work.
-Besides, even if you summoned me, it wouldn't be easy to push him back.
Wrath lowered his eyebrows, looking displeased.
-With your mind and body both broken, even if I were to descend, it would be difficult to exert my full power. Of course, my own strength isn't at its peak either...
He sighed, saying the situation itself was the worst.
'No, this might actually be good.'
-What?
Wrath opened his blue eyes wide, as if asking what Raon meant.
'If he accepts me as a vessel, I should act like one. It's not that he's underestimating you.'
If Greed had accepted the current Raon as Wrath, that would have been more problematic. It would have revealed that Wrath had weakened, so it was much better that he viewed Raon as a vessel like this.
'Today, it's best if you don't come out and we drive Greed away.'
With Raon's body and mind currently damaged, if Wrath were to descend, the shock his soul would have to endure would be much greater. Since the previous wounds hadn't fully healed, Raon didn't want to burden him further.
'I have a plan, but I'm not sure if it will work.'
A method to drive Greed away had occurred to him, but there was a crucial part needed for it to succeed. If the attempt failed to create the desired situation, it would become truly dangerous.
'I'll have to buy some time first.'
Raon took a slow, deep breath as he began the preliminary work for escape.
"So this was indeed your faction."
Suppressing his trembling heart with the power of the Ring of Fire, Raon met Greed's eyes.
"Indeed? You knew?"
Greed frowned, seeming surprised.
"The Monarch of Wrath has been saying that your foul stench has been flowing through this land for a while. He frowned, saying it reeked of dirty money."
Raon relayed what Wrath had said to Greed, with slight embellishment.
-Huh?
Wrath widened his eyes, seemingly surprised by Raon's words.
-Y-You, what are you trying to do now...
He trembled his jaw, appearing flustered.
"Last time I saw you, you were acting as Wrath, but have you given up now?"
Greed narrowed his eyes, as if trying to gauge Raon's intentions.
"Can't summon him in that state, I suppose?"
"That's impossible."
Raon shook his head with a calm expression.
"He sees all and feels all. He simply doesn't find it worth dealing with a coward like you."
He lowered his hand with an elegant gesture, praising Wrath highly.
-W-Why are you suddenly praising me! What are you trying to do! I'm anxious! So anxious!
Wrath shook his head, jumping up and down.
[To not tremble before such a monster! As expected of my master!]
Zircon nodded his head greatly, as if in admiration.
-You shut up!
Wrath struck the back of Zircon's head, looking displeased.
[Ack...]
Zircon bowed his head deeply, rubbing the back of his head which now seemed to have a lump.
'As expected...'
Raon clenched his fist, taking a deep breath inwardly.
'Greed doesn't want to face Wrath.'
If Greed truly had nothing to fear, Raon's head would have been cut off or his entire body would have exploded before Greed even came out of that gate. But he spoke first, trying to assess the situation. This meant he was wary of Wrath, who could appear at any moment.
'It's going as expected. If I keep pressuring his psyche like this, I might be able to push him back.'
Greed, befitting his title as the Monarch of Greed, seemed to have a merchant-like psychology. If Raon could make him realize that fighting Wrath would result in a loss, there was a high chance he would retreat on his own.
"Sees and feels everything? That brute?"
Greed let out a snort, as if finding it ridiculous.
"He has mastered everything. He doesn't need spells or incantations. His path is the way itself."
Wrath had said before that he didn't know much about formulas or magic, using his power instinctively. Raon rephrased this with reverence, stimulating Greed's psyche once more.
"Hmm..."
Greed frowned, as if sensing Wrath's presence through Raon's words.
-Hearing your praise makes me cringe! There's not a drop of sincerity in it!
Wrath swung his arms, saying that if Raon was going to say such things, he should at least put a drop of sincerity into it.
'It's not meant for you. Just ignore it.'
Unlike with Wrath, it seemed to be working well on Greed, which was satisfying.
-No, you praise me and then say it's not for me! What nonsense is that!
Wrath gritted his teeth, saying he didn't understand, but Raon didn't even look at him, fearing it might break his concentration.
"Is the Black Tower Master a vessel you've nurtured?"
Raon flicked his hand while looking at the Black Tower Master's golden eyes.
"Nurtured? Vessel?"
Greed snorted, as if finding it absurd.
"Of course not. He's just one of my business partners."
He shook his head calmly, saying that the Black Tower Master was neither his vessel nor someone he had nurtured.
"It must have been 'that guy' who nurtured the human..."
Greed frowned, as if recalling something. It didn't seem like he was talking to Raon.
"That guy?"
"You don't know? It seems your master, who knows everything, didn't tell you."
He curled his lips, as if mocking Raon's earlier words.
"The Monarch of Wrath doesn't concern himself with trivial matters. He simply accepts everything as it is."
Raon straightened his back, looking directly into Greed's golden eyes.
"If you have any complaints, feel free to challenge him. The Monarch of Wrath says he's ready to come out right now."
He raised his chin and threw down a gamble.
"Hmm..."
Greed's eyes became calm, as if trying to read Raon's thoughts.
* * *
"What is that..."
Karoon's jaw trembled as he looked at the black-haired, golden-eyed young man standing in front of the Devildom Pathway.
'How can such a monster...'
The Black Tower Master's demonic energy was already shocking, but the being above him surpassed even that. Just looking at him made it hard to breathe, as if his soul was being crushed. It felt like this entire world was in the palm of that man's hand.
"Ugh..."
"Grr..."
"Aagh!"
The swordsmen from the Light Wind Palace and the Central Martial Palace fell to their knees, gasping for breath under the absolute pressure emitted by the black-haired, golden-eyed young man. Many lost consciousness due to the overwhelming difference in power. (E/N: nice throwback on how Raon needed Wrath's power to even stand in Sloth's presence)
"Who the hell is that bastard!"
"Damn it. Can't breathe..."
"Ugh..."
Martha, Burren, Runaan, and the other Grandmasters were barely managing to stay on their feet, but it seemed they wouldn't be able to hold out for long either.
'He's definitely a demon.'
And a demon king at that. Most people think holy power is the natural enemy of demonic energy, but in reality, demonic energy can also be the antithesis of holy power. Seeing how the Holy Knights couldn't even withstand it and immediately fainted, this man was clearly at least a demon king-level demon.
The one fortunate thing was that Saintess Olga hadn't fainted and was still healing Chamber. If she had fainted too, many things would have been at risk, so that was somewhat reassuring.
'Reassuring? Fortunate?'
Is that right? Chamber was unconscious, and both he and Raon couldn't even exert half of their true strength. There was no way to stop this demon.
'No, it would be impossible even if we were in perfect condition.'
It seemed that no one could face someone of this level unless Glenn came. The word "despair," which he had forgotten until now, appeared in his mind.
'What should we do... Hm?'
Wanting to at least save the children, he turned his gaze and saw Raon. He was standing proudly, not intimidated, and conversing with that powerful demon. Even from this distance, where his hands were trembling due to the demon's aura, it was astonishing to see Raon not backing down in such an exhausted state.
'Is he buying us time?'
Raon seemed to be drawing the demon's attention to himself while they conversed, as if telling them to escape.
"Saintess."
Karoon nodded as he grabbed Olga's trembling shoulder.
"Leave this place as quickly as possible."
He entrusted Chamber to her and ordered the other subordinates to move outside as fast as they could.
'Raon...'
Karoon raised his sword-wielding hand as he looked at Raon standing unwavering.
'I'll at least make sure you don't die alone.'
* * *
"Hmm."
Greed briefly smacked his lips as he looked at Raon.
"..."
Raon raised his fingertips as he received Greed's blatant gaze.
'He's judging me.'
No, he's probably wary of Wrath, not me. The previous Greed had dismissed Raon and suffered great losses when Wrath suddenly appeared. Having spent over hundreds of millions of gold coins and sustaining severe injuries himself, he seemed more cautious now, unlike before.
'I need to keep letting him know that Wrath is still active.'
To be honest, with both his body and mind damaged, it might be impossible to even summon a demon king. But Greed doesn't know that. He needed to create a situation where Greed would retreat on his own by exploiting this difference in information.
"What is Wrath doing right now?"
Greed rolled his eyes as he tilted his chin sideways.
"He says he wants to smash that nauseating face of yours."
Raon nodded, as if he had actually glanced at Wrath.
-When did I! But that was well said! His face is too ugly!
Wrath nodded, saying he liked that statement.
-But will this be alright?
He briefly smacked his lips.
'What do you mean?'
-You seem to think of Greed as a merchant, and he does act merchant-like, but his essence is that of a demon. And not just any demon, but the greediest in the Devildom.
Wrath shook his head, saying it could be dangerous if Raon thought too simply.
"Actually..."
Greed smacked his lips as he looked at the collapsed Black Tower and the dead demons beneath it.
"Now that the war is over, and with Wrath behind you, starting a fight here wouldn't be a good decision. Even if I killed you while avoiding Wrath, it wouldn't reverse the flow that has already collapsed."
He waved his hand up and down, making a merchant-like judgment contrary to Wrath's words.
"But I..."
Greed's eyes flashed like lightning illuminating the night sky.
"I desire you."
"What?"
"It hasn't been many years since I saw you in Suphren, but to reach that level... Even for Wrath's vessel, it's an incomprehensible growth rate."
The words "desire" blazed in his golden eyes.
"It might not be bad to invest properly, even if it means facing Wrath's anger."
Greed extended his hand with a grotesque smile.
-Duck!
'Ah...'
Though Wrath told him to duck, Raon couldn't avoid it. Greed's gesture contained an absolute flow that he couldn't escape even if he had been in perfect condition. It was neither fast nor slow.
'Damn it...'
No matter how he moved, it seemed impossible to avoid that hand. He already felt as if his soul was in Greed's grasp.
-You frustrating...!
As Wrath gritted his teeth and tried to step forward, a fragrant scent like flowers, yet chilling to the bone, wafted in on the wind. Just as that scent made his mind hazy, a sweet aroma like juice-sprinkled ice cream followed. Boom!
Suddenly, a pink-haired woman and a white-haired girl appeared before Raon's eyes, deflecting Greed's hand.
"You two are..."
Greed frowned as he looked at the two women protecting Raon.
"You remember me."
The woman with pink hair turned her body, ignoring Greed. Her light pink eyes, shimmering softly, belonged to Lust.
"To think you'd put my authority into your technique, I can die without regrets now."
Lust smiled, unable to express her happiness in words.
"Money..."
The white-haired girl grabbed Raon's sleeve with her finger in her mouth. It was Gluttony, the Monarch of Gluttony.
"I'm all out..."
Gluttony blinked her reddish eyes, saying she needed money to buy ice cream again.
-Aaaaargh!
As soon as he saw Lust, Wrath forgot about trying to stop Greed and screamed, backing away.
'I didn't expect both of them to come...'
Raon curled his lips as he looked back and forth between Gluttony and Lust.
'If it's like this...'
He might be able to gain Greed's power.