Chapter 581

Raon sighed deeply as he looked at the Blade of Requiem on the ground.

‘Float.’

He tried to move the Blade of Requiem with the will in his upper energy center, but the blade remained completely still—as if it were questioning what he thought he was doing.

Whir!

He also tried to increase the power of his soul by making the rings of fire resonate just like during the spar against Sterin, but the Blade of Requiem didn’t even shake in the slightest, instead making a small sword resonance as if it were telling him that it tickled.

“Argh…”

Raon groaned in despair while putting both his hands on the ground.

‘Why is it not working?’

To capture the essence of his inspiration from the spar, Raon had dedicated himself to practicing the infusion of his will into the Blade of Requiem ever since returning to the lodging. However, despite his efforts, the blade remained completely motionless, refusing to float or respond in any way.

Do you want the King of Essence to tell you why it’s not working?

Wrath secretly approached him and grabbed his shoulder. Since his hand was so plump, it felt like soft rubber was touching him.

‘Why is it not working?’

The reason is simple!

Wrath confidently raised his fist.

It’s not working because you are hungry!

‘......’

A human’s power normally comes from the stomach. There’s no way you can muster any power since you haven't eaten anything since you got here!

Wrath blabbered that he should go eat already, talking about a human’s power despite being a demon king.

He was a really consistent demon king at least. Raon wanted to call him the demon king of consistency.

‘This is so tiring…’

It’s true! Just try believing in the King of Essence!

‘Please go away.’

Raon pushed Wrath away as he continued to struggle. Just as he was about to focus his will once again, his door was opened violently.

Whaam!

The foot that seemed to have kicked the door strode into the room.

“Division leader…”

Raon shook his head upon seeing that Rimmer was still kicking the door even at his home. He realized that Rimmer was someone else who was really consistent.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right?”

Rimmer placed the tray he was holding on his left hand onto the table next to the bed.

“They don’t provide you with food here. You have to find it yourself.”

He grinned, saying that he’d already delivered a meal to Dorian and Yua.

Ooh!

Wrath exclaimed while looking at the silver dome covering the tray.

What happened to you, Shitty Ears? Did you finally learn your lesson?

He licked his lips while observing the tray from various angles.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Raon stood up and bowed at Rimmer.

“You won’t get this luxury anymore starting from tomorrow. By the way…”

Rimmer narrowed his eyes while examining Raon from top to bottom.

“Why do you look so exhausted?”

“I had a spar against the protector just now.”

“Spar, that’s nice. Huh? A spar?”

His eyes widened, surprised by the fact that he had a spar against Sterin.

“Really?”

“You were right, division leader. The protector’s archery was on a whole different level. It was a great experience.”

Raon briefly explained the spar he had with Sterin.

“Huh! He gave you a lesson and even told you to come to see the world tree!”

“Yes.”

“My grandpa doesn’t even teach the guardians himself. What did you do?”

Rimmer gasped, saying that he couldn’t understand it.

“Show me the fruit that Grandpa gave you.”

“Ah, yes.”

Raon took out the red fruit, which he hadn’t eaten yet, and handed it over.

“This is the Sylvan Stream berry.”

“Sylvan Stream berry?”

“The area around the world tree is influenced by the spiritual realm, and trees growing there are something between plants and mythical creatures. Since the fruit is taken from the trees that have the most energy of nature, it should be more effective than most elixirs.”

He gave a thumbs up, saying that it was the best when it came to recovery even though it didn’t drastically increase the amount of aura.

“Can I really accept such a precious thing?”

“What’s the issue when he wants to give it to you? You should give it to me if you don’t want it.”

Rimmer extended his hand, saying that he would take it in his stead.

“No thanks.”

Raon shook his head and pulled the Sylvan Stream berry behind his back.

“Now that I think about it, you are so popular among grandfathers.”

Rimmer laughed, saying that it was interesting.

“Am I?”

“Yes. The old man saint likes you, and the same goes for the old man Sword Demon. Well, it’s a bit awkward now, but when he saw you for the first time, he immediately wanted to teach you, and our head of house also likes you.”

“I don’t know about that…”

Raon calmly shook his head. He might be right about the others, but Glenn only gave him the evaluation befitting his achievements.

Their relationship had improved, but Raon didn’t think he would have any personal affection towards him.

“You still don’t know,” Rimmer sighed, kicking the ground weakly.

“The relationship between me and my grandpa is how you should be with your grandfather. You saw how I jumped in his arms as soon as I saw him, right?”

He made a hugging posture, telling Raon to jump in Glenn’s arms as soon as he returned to Zieghart.

“Do you want me to die or something?”

Raon furrowed his brow while looking at Rimmer’s smile.

‘My head would roll the moment I did that.’

Even if he tried to jump in his arms, he would fall to his knees the moment he saw Glenn’s frightening expression.

“It’s true though…”

“Stop saying strange things. Where have you been, division leader?”

He was curious about why Rimmer didn’t know about the spar against Sterin since the other elves should’ve been aware of it because of how loud it was.

“I went outside for a moment because Erian said that something strange happened outside.”

Rimmer nodded to confirm his suspicion.

“What would be that strange thing…?”

“There was a report that the wild animals in the great forest were standing in front of Seipia’s entrance.”

“Animals?”

“Yes. They should normally be unable to sense anything because of the barrier, but they were standing like they wanted to enter. Isn’t it strange?”

“I-it is.”

A certain woman came into Raon’s mind upon hearing that animals wanted to enter Seipia.

‘That shouldn’t be the case. Even for her, it should be impossible to come here.’

Th-the King of Essence thinks she is the one.

Wrath shook his head with a trembling chin.

It’s that madwoman’s doing!

He shook his head, saying that there was no way the animals would suddenly start acting strangely like that.

“Now that I think about it, there are no animals here.”

“It’s because there’s a barrier around Seipia that only allows those who are invited by an elf through.”

Rimmer pointed at the sky with his finger, saying that it was that dazzling barrier of light that they’d seen when they first came to Seipia.

“Considering the fact that the animals dispersed when we went outside, it shouldn’t be a big deal.”

He smiled, saying that even the animals must’ve noticed the tense atmosphere because the purification ritual was approaching.

“I-I see.”

If it really was Merlin’s doing, she would give up on that method and find another way no matter what. Raon decided that he would go outside to check if it was Merlin’s doing after the purification ritual.

“So, what’s your impression about Seipia?”

“It’s a mysterious place, a lot more than I thought. However…”

“However?”

“The elves were unexpectedly interested in humans and others.”

They weren’t troublemakers like Rimmer, but a few elves felt similar to chatty humans.

“You are talking about how they spread the rumor about you and Siyan, right?”

“Yes.”

“Correct.”

Rimmer peacefully nodded without refuting it.

“I noticed that too. They seem much more curious about what others are doing than before. I almost thought I was in a human village.”

He shook his head, saying that they were a lot more curious about others than when he used to live in Seipia.

“Is it because they’ve had relations with humans?”

“That’s one of the reasons, and another one is that some elves started to leave.”

“They left?”

“Yes. There are quite a few of them who couldn’t put up with life in Seipia and left completely. They’ve changed the mood quite a lot.”

Rimmer furrowed his brow slightly, implying that it wasn’t a good memory.

“But many elves are still just focused on themselves, with nature as their friend.”

He smiled faintly, saying that the elves would never fully become like humans.

“Ah, we kept the food waiting for too long.”

Rimmer shook his hand, telling him to eat while it was still hot.

The King of Essence has a feeling that he brought an apple pie that suits his taste!

Wrath had been moving restlessly in front of the tray and gulped in excitement.

“Thank you. But what’s is the meal?”

Raon nodded at Rimmer and took off the silver dome covering the tray.

“Hmm?”

Uuh…

Wrath’s jaw dropped upon seeing the plate. The reason his joy turned into horror was simple.

It was because two brown breads were placed on the white plate.

Na-Nadine bread…

“You should try out the original version since you came so far.”

Rimmer smiled, saying that the original should have a different taste.

“Ah, yes.”

Raon blinked while picking up one of the Nadine breads.

‘I’m fine with it, but…’

He didn’t mind it because he honestly liked the Nadine bread, but he could easily guess what Wrath would be looking like since he’d been looking forward to the meal so much.

The King of Essence will kill them!

Wrath raised his head, his body trembling in anger.

He will kill those shitty ears, brother and sister alike!

‘Calm down a bit.’

Raon put pressure on Wrath with the Ring of Fire and shook his head.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“I didn’t expect you to really like it. You should have proper meals starting from tomorrow.”

Rimmer shrugged his shoulders and left while closing the door behind him.

Where do you think you are running?! Come back here right now!

Wrath floundered his limbs, a ghastly blue fire blazing from his eyes. He seemed to be seriously angry.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Raon took a bite of the Nadine bread right away in order to calm Wrath down. It was warm because it was recently baked, but it still had the same rubber taste and texture as the other Nadine breads.

Gaaah!

Wrath started to have a seizure and went limp like a deflated balloon.

H-how is it even possible for warm bread to be so disgusting…?

The way he panted made it look like he was about to die.

It’s truly the food of evil fiends…

Wrath slammed his head on the ground, saying that he couldn’t live with it anymore.

‘It’s pretty good though.’

It was a bit tastier than the cold version. It tasted like heated rubber.

Th-the King of Essence has a request.

“What request?’

Raon shifted his gaze at Wrath while chewing the half-eaten Nadine bread.

Eat that fruit from earlier at least…

Wrath put his hands together, asking him to eat the Sylvan Stream berry to cleanse the taste.

‘Hmm, I guess I should, since I need to heal my internal injury…’

Raon couldn’t ignore Wrath’s googly eyes, which looked like a cat’s, and put the berry he’d received from Sterin into his mouth.

A refreshing sweetness similar to a mix between cherry and strawberry cleansed his rubber-filled mouth.

I-it’s sweet…

Wrath sank to the ground and nodded.

Thank you.

He sniffled. It was pretty much the first time he’d thanked him.

‘It wasn’t a big deal.’

Just as Raon was about to shake his head, messages appeared in front of his eyes.

[You’ve been thanked by Wrath.]

[All stats have increased by 2.]

‘There are rewards for this?’

Raon was staring at the messages, thinking that it was surprising, when he heard the sound of Wrath slamming his head onto the ground.

......

Wrath stared blankly at the message for a bit before he started to clutch his own neck with his hands.

He’d rather die! He doesn’t want Nadine bread anymore! There’s no reason to live!

Raon shook his head while taking a bite of the second Nadine bread.

‘You can’t die like that…’

Dead!

* * *

Siyan raised her eyebrows and bit her red lip.

“It’s not working after all.”

She tried to achieve resonance with the method her grandfather had taught her, but her mind couldn’t escape from her shabby body, like a tightly sealed water bottle.

She had a faint hope that she might be able to change after Raon had advised her, but the miracle didn’t happen.

“Haa…”

Siyan buried her exhausted face in the blanket. Her blond hair swept up like a small tidal wave.

‘Best efforts…’

She’d been making an effort, even though it was honestly not her best. She’d been practicing the resonance whenever she had time because she wanted to be praised by everyone for being a high elf like her grandfather.

However, the world had never opened the door to her. She even started to wonder if it was even possible to achieve resonance.

‘It’s so tiring. It’s exhausting, but…’

Siyan clenched her fist. She lifted herself, veins showing up on her pale hand.

‘I’m still going to do it.’

She would’ve normally given up at that point, thinking that it wasn’t going to work anyway, and lay down on the bed to sink into her delusion of being praised by everyone. However, she wanted to try a bit more because of her encounter with Raon.

Siyan opened her eyes again, and just as she was about to start practicing the resonance, a blunt knocking sound could be heard from the door. There was only one person who knocked like that.

“Y-you can enter.”

She murmured for him to enter, covering half of her face with the blanket.

Sterin carefully entered and sat on the chair next to the bed.

“It’s about that human you called amazing.”

He smiled deeply with his arms crossed.

“He is seriously outrageous.”

“Err…”

Siyan’s eyes widened upon seeing Sterin’s smile. She’d never seen her grandfather compliment another person like that.

“R-really?”

“Yes. I could feel that he was born with talent and that he’s been swinging his sword endlessly. He was a real swordsman, one I haven’t seen in a while.”

“Right? That’s what I told you!”

She lifted the blanket and got up as if she were the one who was being praised.

“The damn handsome Raon can burn fire and freeze ice!”

“Hmm, I don’t know about that. However.”

Sterin shook his hand to stop her granddaughter’s nonsense.

“I told him to come to the purification ritual.”

“T-to the purification ritual?”

“I figured it would be nice to help him if I can since he is Rimmer’s disciple. So…”

He uncrossed his arms and held Siyan’s shoulder.

“Won’t you come with us, too?”

“I…”

She had actually refused when she was asked before. She wanted to stay in her room because she didn’t want to encounter the other elves, but the news about Rimmer and Raon’s participation gave her courage for some reason.

Siyan nodded unnoticeably, covering her face with the blanket.

“I-I’ll go.”

* * *

Raon lowered his head towards a blue-haired elf.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The elf nodded at Yua even though her heavy gaze looked like she wouldn’t budge even if the entire world collapsed.

She was a musician introduced to him by Rimmer, and her skills were among the best in Seipia. Raon was visiting her personally to entrust Yua’s lessons to her.

“I’ll do my best too!”

Yua clenched both her fists and even furrowed her brow. It was cute how her twin tails were fluttering into the air.

“Yeah. I’ll be back soon, so wait for me.”

Raon patted Yua’s head and turned around.

“What about me?”

Dorian asked what he should be doing with sparkling eyes.

“As for you…”

‘I didn’t really think about it.’

Raon licked his lips and pointed at Yua.

“Observe Yua to see if she is learning properly. Make sure she doesn’t mess around.”

“Yes!”

Dorian nodded, raising his hand as if he were saluting.

‘I’m glad it worked.’

Raon shook his head and went towards Rimmer, who’d been waiting behind them.

“You really are a demon.”

He shuddered, murmuring that he was scared.

“I can’t be as bad as you, division leader.”

Raon shook his head in return.

“Let’s go already if you are done. The geezer should be waiting for us.”

Rimmer quickly stepped away, saying that Sterin placed great importance on keeping the time.

“Did you hear the rumor? I heard that the human over there earned the right to see the world tree.”

“It’s understandable. He is the spirit king’s contractor, after all.”

“Well, I guess he isn’t exactly unrelated to the world tree if he really is going to make a contract with the spirit king.”

“Isn’t this the first time a human being has ever gotten to see the world tree?”

“It’s not the first. I heard someone has done that before…”

The elves started to murmur between them while looking at Raon and Rimmer, who were passing by.

Those shitty ears!

Wrath barked at the elves.

The King of Essence is the Monarch of Wrath, not a mere spirit king!

He frantically shook his hand, shouting at them to stop comparing him to a spirit king.

‘Yes, that’s true.’

Raon chuckled while watching Wrath yell at them. Because of the doormat called Wrath sticking to him, the spirit king would run away even if it came to him. He could guess that he wouldn’t become the spirit king’s contractor even if he were chosen by one.

He ignored the elves who kept blabbering about whatever they wanted and followed Rimmer. They reached the protector Sterin’s home soon enough.

“You’re here.”

Sterin casually raised his hand. He was already outside the house, leaning his back against a tree.

“What’s that?”

Rimmer tilted his head while pointing at something that was completely wrapped up with a blanket.

“What else? It’s your sister.”

“Ack…”

Sterin poked it with his finger and the blanket shivered.

“Siyan? Why are you covered in a blanket even when you’re outside?!”

“I-I feel better this way. Don’t mind me.”

Even her face was covered in the blanket, and only her voice could be heard.

“Are you suffering from an illness where you are going to die if you come out of the blanket or what?”

Rimmer briefly clicked his tongue and walked up to Siyan.

“D-don’t mind me…”

Siyan’s voice was even smaller than the day before, probably because she was outside her room.

“But…”

“Please stop.”

Raon grabbed Rimmer’s shoulder.

‘She must’ve mustered her courage to do that.’

Siyan wasn’t really interested in the world tree’s purification the day before. Whether she came out to watch the purification ritual or for another reason, it was praiseworthy enough that she’d stepped outside at all.

“H-hello, Sir Raon the damn handsome.”

Siyan lowered her head, still covered in the blanket. Raon could only see the top of her blonde hair.

“Ah, yes…”

Raon awkwardly nodded.

‘Why does she keep saying that damn handsome stuff even though she is shy about everything else?’

Raon couldn’t understand her, but he didn’t point it out because he didn’t want to scare her.

“Grandpa, I heard you had a round with Raon two days ago, right?”

Rimmer’s eyes twitched as he looked at Sterin.

“So how was it? My disciple is pretty good, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

Sterin calmly nodded. However, the surprise still remained in his eyes.

“He was too good to be your disciple.”

“Ooh!”

Rimmer twisted his body as if he were complimented instead.

“I knew that so-called monsters sometimes emerge from the human world, but he's on another level. He almost makes me think that the gods and demon kings made a mistake.”

Sterin described the surprise he’d felt during the spar.

It was a mistake indeed.

Wrath gave a big nod of approval.

He's a demon who will bring hell wherever he goes!

He murmured that he wanted to bring him to Devildom one day and cause a huge mess.

“I thought the same from the first time I saw him.”

Rimmer nodded proudly.

“He’ll become a big shot.”

He grinned, saying that his insight deserved to be praised.

“That’s enough talking. Let’s go in.”

Sterin watched Raon for a moment, then gestured with his chin.

Raon licked his lips while thinking about what Sterin had just said.

‘Go in?’

He found it strange that he’d said to go inside somewhere instead of heading to the World Tree’s location.

However, he wasn’t lying about that.

Sterin placed his hand on his tree house, and the atmosphere started to waver as if it became a lake, a path made of blue light forming.

As if everything he’d seen from Seipia was just an illusion, the greenery turned blue and translucent leaves filled his vision.

A green wind tousled his hair, blue water droplets moistened his skin, and the yellow earth brought a gentle sense of comfort.

Lastly, the heated flame left a handprint on the atmosphere, dancing along his breath.

Raon looked at the circular path of blue light, his fingers trembling in surprise.

He could see a tree. It was so massive that it couldn't be fully taken in with just one glance.

The majestic roots looked like it was spreading throughout the entire continent, the trunk was so thick that even if everyone in Zieghart gathered, they wouldn’t be able to encircle it, and it was so high that he couldn’t see the end of it even if he looked upward, as if it was a pillar supporting the sky.

Transparent leaves attached to the countless branches were fluttering in the air to welcome their arrival, giving off a mysterious and otherworldly impression. Saying that it was beautiful wasn’t enough to describe the world tree.

‘Is this the world tree, Adrian…?’

Raon swallowed nervously and walked into the blue path.

‘By the way, is that a burn mark?’

Raon thought it was strange as he looked at the slightly scorched area on the world tree’s right side.

Whaaap!

The Ring of Fire started to rampage on its own, and his vision turned crimson.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]