"Authority, huh..."
Greed narrowed his eyes as he looked at the bracelet of demon kings on Raon's wrist. His pupils dilated thinly like gold coins.
"What do you intend to do by nurturing that vessel?"
Greed shot an ominous, flickering gaze as if trying to discern Wrath's thoughts.
-What nonsense! This isn't my doing!
Wrath waved his hand as if dumbfounded.
-We're all being played by this devilish youngster! Both you and I!
He shouted, begging to be understood, but of course, Greed couldn't hear him.
"Whether I use the demon kings' authority to destroy the continent or kill a god, it's none of your concern."
Raon shook his head arrogantly, as if he could accomplish all of that.
"That's true as well."
Greed nodded with a thin smile.
"I'm still suspicious of you. I can't tell if you're Wrath or if the vessel is acting."
He revealed quietly shining eyes as if still observing himself.
-I am the true king! This form is not something the true king would ever show!
Wrath waved his arms up and down, begging to be recognized.
'As expected, Greed is dangerous.'
Even through the glasses Greed wore, he would appear as Wrath since he borrowed Wrath's authority and realm of the soul. However, Greed still hadn't dispelled his doubts and considered him human. He was certainly different from the gullible demon kings he had encountered so far.
"Still, I can't touch you now. The loss would be too great either way."
As Greed snapped his fingers, the golden authority of
[A portion of
[The authority will be unlocked after the adaptation period ends.]
'Hm?'
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at the authority of
'What's this? This amount?'
Greed had transferred the largest amount of authority among all the demon kings he had received so far. It was comparable to the amount of authority other demon kings had grown through cultivation and life, causing him to involuntarily gasp.
'He gave more than even Lust.'
Since he received more
"Greed. What's your intention?"
Raon frowned as he looked at Greed. If there had been other auras mixed in the
"It's an investment."
Greed waved his hand calmly as if it were nothing special.
"Investment?"
"Yes. I want to dip my toes into what you're planning to do."
He licked his lips, saying he could smell the potential for significant gains.
"Without even knowing what I'm planning to do?"
"To make big gains, it's important to invest in places others don't know about. Investment opportunities everyone knows are already dried up."
Greed tilted his chin, once again revealing his merchant-like demeanor. However, the desire in his eyes seemed to burn even brighter.
"My instincts tell me. If I bet on you, I can profit quite a bit. Whether you're Wrath or a vessel, it doesn't matter."
"..."
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he watched Greed's cold smile.
'He's still suspicious.'
Even in this situation, Greed was still doubting that he wasn't Wrath. Seeing how intensely he distrusted others, it seemed the title of Monarch of Greed was well-earned. If Wrath had a personality like Greed's, he might have lost his body long ago.
"Then, what about the shape of this flower?"
It was unsettling to see such a gentle-looking flower that seemed uncharacteristic of Greed.
"It's a preference."
Greed shook his head, reciting the exact words Wrath had once used.
-What a terrible taste.
Wrath snorted mockingly at Greed, not realizing his own lack of taste.
"Now that I've transferred the authority as promised, I suppose I can leave?"
Greed took a step back as if ready to return to the Devildom.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Lust aimed at Greed's neck with her fingertips infused with the authority of
"Can't I just take a bite?"
Gluttony opened the pitch-black mouth of
"Let him go."
Raon waved his hand at Lust and Gluttony.
"There's no point in fighting now."
Since he wasn't the real Wrath, the potential losses far outweighed any gains from capturing Greed. If Greed were to attack with the intent to kill, he might end up destroying the two demon kings before him as well, so it was best to let him go for now.
"Tsk..."
Lust clicked her tongue in disappointment and lowered her hand.
"I wanted just one bite..."
Gluttony closed her black mouth, licking her lips as if she had truly intended to devour Greed whole. Suddenly, she became terrifying.
"Impressive indeed. I didn't expect two demon kings who follow their instincts to listen to you."
Greed let out a breath of astonishment as he stood before the Devildom Pathway.
"We'll meet again. I'll collect the returns on my investment then."
He took out a shimmering white gold coin from his shirt pocket and tossed it. Raon caught the coin and examined it. Unlike the gold coins of this world, its surface was engraved with an unnaturally vivid dragon.
"I'll need to make some money for a while. The losses are severe."
Greed muttered that he needed to move quickly and entered the Devildom Pathway. He seemed different from when they first met.
"Hah..."
Raon let out a heavy sigh and reached out towards the Devildom Pathway. He unleashed the authority of wrath received from Wrath, stirring up the cold energy of Glacier. Wrath's ultimate technique, the Silver Aurora, extended through his hand, instantly freezing the massive Devildom Pathway.
The Devildom Pathway slowly crumbled like melting ice, as if its very breath had been cut off by the hellish cold.
As the frozen Devildom Pathway fell from the sky, the blackened demonic energy cracked, revealing a green-tinged sky. Though he had thought it was a dark world from the beginning, it seemed to be a dimension not too different from the continent where he lived.
"To think you used that Silver Aurora with my authority, I'm still so happy..."
Lust blushed, saying she had no regrets.
"What will you do next? The Silver Moon Demonic Seal? If you need more authority, I'll give you more! I can even give myself to you!"
She spread her arms, saying she could offer herself instead of just her authority.
-Eeeek!
Wrath screamed and stepped back.
-Get that thing away from me! It's really scary!
He sniffled, saying it was too much to handle on all sides.
"What a pity..."
Gluttony sucked her finger, seemingly disappointed that she couldn't taste Greed. Unlike Lust, she could be appeased with bead ice cream or delicious food.
"Thank you for coming this far."
Raon nodded at Lust and Gluttony.
"I came because I'm broke..."
Gluttony twirled her finger around her white hair, still insisting she came because she had no money.
"I'm the one who's grateful! Call me anytime! Just thinking of me is enough! You can take all my techniques and authority!"
Lust's eyes turned pink as if intoxicated by the word 'affection', and she kept spouting passionate words.
-Grrrr...
Wrath seemed terrified by Lust's affectionate assault and collapsed with foam in his mouth.
"But why were you in the Devildom?"
Raon frowned as he looked at Lust.
"Weren't you supposed to be with Merlin?"
"We parted ways a while ago. I was looking for you alone, and somehow ended up in the Devildom..."
Lust shook her head, saying she had gone all the way to the Devildom while searching for him.
'...Is that even possible?'
Raon tilted his chin, looking at Wrath.
-I-I told you, didn't I? That stalker is the dimension's worst at directions. I still don't understand how those two traits can coexist in one body...
Wrath shook his head, saying it was impossible to comprehend Lust's actions through logic alone.
"So you don't know where Merlin is now?"
Considering Merlin's usual behavior, she should have shown up at least once during this war or the previous battles. The fact that she hadn't appeared even in animal form was worrying, suggesting something might have happened to her.
"Yeah. It's been a while."
"I see..."
Raon nodded, narrowing his eyes.
"Shall we try to find her?"
Lust also said she'd like to look for Merlin, seeming to miss her.
"No, that won't be necessary..."
It seemed better to dissuade her for now, as Lust might end up in the heavenly realm while searching for Merlin.
"For now, you two should leave this dimension. I will follow after tidying up here."
"Mmm, I'll be waiting..."
Lust turned away, frowning slightly but seemingly willing to comply.
"Will you buy bead ice cream?"
Gluttony waved her hand, saying she was hungry after using her authority.
"There's an ice cream shop outside. Wait there with Lust."
"Okay."
She nodded happily, then took Lust's hand and disappeared in a white light.
-H-hey?
Wrath poked his finger, watching Raon cautiously.
-How about returning my power and soul now? It's all over, isn't it?
'...'
Raon silently looked at Wrath.
-W-why are you looking at me like that! You said you'd give it back when it's over!
He trembled in fear, wondering what Raon was thinking.
'Alright. I'll return it.'
Raon placed his hand on Wrath's head and returned all the authority and realm of the soul he had received. The immense power that had been supporting him vanished in an instant, leaving him feeling a bit empty. However, this experience alone would greatly contribute to his growth.
-Strange. You're not the type to give it back so easily...
Wrath frowned, seeming suspicious.
'What's strange about it? I'm just returning what I borrowed.'
-If it were the usual you, you'd use even this to threaten...
As Wrath started to argue, pointing his finger, blue messages appeared before Raon's eyes.
[You have achieved a feat that will remain in the continent's history.]
[You have defeated the Black Tower Master.]
[You have been acknowledged by the Monarch of
[All abilities have...]
[New trait...]
[Trait...]
Rewards for this war appeared, filling his vision.
-W-what's with all this!
Wrath yelled as he saw the messages.
-I know you've done something amazing, but this is too much! It's not even a status window, I can't see it all at once!
He shook his head vigorously, saying it didn't make sense.
'...'
However, Raon dismissed the reward messages without even reading them.
-Huh? Why are you doing that?
Wrath frowned, not understanding.
-Returning my power and now this? What are you thinking?
'Now that the fight is over, reality is setting in. This isn't the time to look at those messages.'
Raon bit his lip as he pushed back his blood-soaked hair.
-Reality? Ah...
Wrath let out a low groan, seeming to understand Raon's words.
'It's time to take responsibility now.'
Raon let out a heavy sigh and descended towards the dimensional exit where everyone was waiting.
* * *
"Hmm..."
Karoon lowered the sword he had been gripping tightly.
'I'm not sure what I just witnessed.'
He thought everything was over with the appearance of the demon king, but suddenly two more demon kings appeared and fought with the golden demon king. In the midst of the fierce battle, the golden demon king gained the upper hand and attacked Raon, but he suddenly unleashed an overwhelming aura that dominated all three demon kings and ended the fight altogether.
Even now, he was dumbfounded by the unbelievable situation he had witnessed, and his heart was racing as if it would burst.
"Is it over now?"
Burren approached from behind, swallowing hard.
"Why did you stay here?"
Karoon frowned, asking why they remained when he had ordered a retreat.
"How could we run away when our Palace Master is there! We should die together if we must!"
Martha shook her head, insisting they couldn't possibly leave.
"Yes. One body..."
Runaan raised a finger, as if to say the Light Wind Palace was one unified body.
"...I see."
Normally, he would have reprimanded them, but seeing the look in Burren, Martha, and Runaan's eyes as they thought of their Palace Master - no, their family - he kept quiet. There was nothing to say since Raon had ended the entire situation. Raon landed on the ground with a somewhat empty look in his eyes.
He walked towards the exit of this dimension, surveying the dead humans and demons.
"Good work."
Burren simply bowed his head, acknowledging Raon's efforts.
"What was that at the end? It was like seeing the Head of House!"
Martha raised her hands in excitement, seemingly amazed by the overwhelming aura.
"Super handsome today."
Runaan just gave a thumbs up, saying it was impressive.
"Everyone did well."
Raon smiled weakly despite everyone's praise.
"Why? Did something happen?"
Martha shook her head, noticing Raon's heavy expression.
"It's not over yet."
Raon lowered his gaze slightly, looking beyond the dimension.
"What do you mean it's not over?"
"Is another enemy coming?"
Burren and Martha's lips trembled in surprise.
"Well..."
"..."
However, Karoon closed his mouth as if he had read Raon's thoughts, and Runaan lowered her eyes.
"No, it's time to face reality."
Raon bowed his head, looking at his blood-soaked right hand.
"We need to think about those who died in this war, and also..."
As he tried to mention the name of the child in his mind, his lips trembled involuntarily.
"Because there's Rensia."
A child born under the Black Tower's control, yet never falling into darkness and helping those in even worse situations. The child who contributed the most to bringing down the massive Black Tower and its master. And the child who thought of her younger siblings even as she was dying.
He had promised to look after her future life, wishing for her happiness, but the thought of the child who left before he could fulfill that promise made his heart ache as if it were being torn apart.
"Mmm..."
"Rensia. That's right. There was that child."
"..."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan also bit their lips, lowering their gaze as if remembering Rensia.
-...
Even Wrath fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words on this matter. Rensia's injuries could only be healed by someone who had mastered both holy power and medical arts. If she had learned even a little aura, she might have been able to endure somehow, but she was weaker than ordinary children, so they couldn't help but think of Rensia's death.
'Rensia. Thank you.'
Without you, today's victory wouldn't have been possible. Raon thanked Rensia as he left the Black Tower's dimension. The first thing he saw upon exiting was the fountain where he had sat with Rensia.
He had told Rensia there that only happy things remained ahead, and promised to take care of her younger siblings when she was dying. Now, the memory made him feel nauseous.
'I wanted to make sure no one else would die.'
It doesn't feel like a victory even though we won. As Raon bit his lip and lowered his head...
"Lord Raon!"
From behind the fountain came the voice of the person he most wanted to hear right now.