Chapter 833

“This is a proposal, right? You’re asking to marry me, right?”

Merlin shouted joyfully, hopping up and down. She was still in the form of a baby sea otter.

“Alright. I’ll stay with you for life.”

Lust, too, seemed to take his trust as a proposal. She opened a stream of pink air and revealed a breathtaking beauty that swept away the gloom of night.

“Uh…?”

Raon took a step back and swallowed dryly. All he said was that he trusted them—how did that become a marriage proposal?

-You fool! The number one thing you should never say to lunatics like them is that you trust them!

Wrath shook his head, shouting that he had just sown the seed of destruction.

‘Still, jumping straight to a marriage proposal is too much!’

-You entrusted your most important possession and said you believed in them—of course they’d take it as a proposal! Stop treating those lunatics like normal people!

He pounded his chest in frustration.

‘So it’s my fault? Even though I’m the one being stalked?’

-It is your fault! All of it!

‘Ugh…’

Raon let out a hollow laugh. All he did was forgive the ones who stalked him and say he trusted them, and now he was being told that was a mistake.

But judging by the look in Merlin and Lust’s eyes, it was clear he had definitely made one.

“Where should the ceremony be? I like small places. I don’t have any friends to invite anyway.”

Merlin smiled brightly as she casually mentioned having no friends.

“I want a grand one. If we’re inviting all of our subordinates, we’ll have to turn the whole estate into a wedding hall.”

Lust’s pink eyes sparkled, as if she were seriously considering turning all of Zieghart into a venue.

“Oh, right. I have animal friends! You’ve met them before, haven’t you?”

Merlin added with a gentle smile, saying she could invite her animal friends too.

“Ah…”

Raon pressed his lips together tightly as he looked at the dazed expressions on Merlin and Lust.

‘They’re not listening.’

Both were caught up in their fantasies, completely deaf to the outside world. A chill crawled down his spine.

“J-Just calm down. That’s not what I meant by what I said.”

Raon raised both hands, blocking their view.

“That’s not what you meant? Then what did you mean?”

Merlin stared at the [soul stone] in her hand and spoke in a voice dry as drought.

“…Explain.”

Lust also turned her jaw, her once warm pink eyes now frozen cold.

“Hmm…”

Raon exhaled deeply under their sharp gazes.

If he said the wrong thing here, this ship might sink. He felt more tension now than when fighting the Second Apostle.

‘Alright. Let’s flip it.’

After running a quick scenario in his mind, he slowly opened his mouth.

“You both know how important this [soul stone] is. It’s more precious than my life. It’s the only way to save someone dear to me.”

Raon lowered his voice and held out the [soul stone] to them.

“And right now, you two are the only ones I can entrust it to.”

He looked at Merlin and Lust one after the other, twisting his lips faintly.

“I was trying to show I trusted you by giving this to you. But what I got in return was… disappointing. Instead of discussing how to carry it safely, you started talking about something else entirely. Seems I misjudged you.”

He shook his head slightly, saying he was truly disappointed.

“No! I’m sorry!”

Merlin immediately lowered her head and apologized.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about what mattered first…”

Lust admitted she’d made a mistake too and furrowed her brows.

“Really now?”

Raon imitated Wrath’s tone and gave them both a cold stare.

“Yeah! We’ll work together to get it to Grandfather!”

Merlin clasped her hands and promised to deliver it to Glenn no matter what.

“Trust me.”

Lust also pressed her lips tightly, saying she’d protect the [soul stone] from anyone.

“…Alright. Then I’ll trust you one more time.”

Raon gave a small nod and took out the [soul stone] again.

-Wh-What just happened…?

Wrath’s eyes widened in confusion.

-They were just screaming about marriage, and now suddenly…

‘I figured, since they were so thrilled to gain my trust, they’d panic and apologize if I took it away.’

This was the first time Merlin and Lust had received such clear trust from him—not just being followed around one-sidedly, but actually being entrusted with his most precious item. So if they thought they were about to lose that, they’d naturally react in fear and apologize.

‘But… who do I give it to?’

There was only one [soul stone], so he had to pick one of them.

He trusted Merlin more, but Lust had the edge in strength. That made it hard to decide.

On top of that, giving it to one might disappoint the other, which made his head hurt even more.

‘How should I solve this…?’

As he bit his lip in thought, Merlin set down the rock she used to crack clams and reached out her hand.

“Give it to me. She’s terrible with directions, so it’s better if she just follows me.”

Merlin nodded, saying she should be the one to carry it.

“Mm…”

Lust groaned but didn’t argue, even after being called directionally challenged.

‘Directionally challenged?’

-Didn’t I tell you before? She gets lost so easily she’s never around when it matters!

‘Ah, right.’

He remembered now—Wrath had mentioned that about Lust early on.

“She’s ridiculously bad with directions. Even if it’s just a straight line, she somehow ends up going backward!”

Merlin shook her head, saying Lust wouldn’t have made it here without her.

“I-It’s not that bad…”

Lust offered a weak rebuttal, eyes shifting away.

“Alright then. Merlin, you carry it. Lust, guard her along the way.”

Raon smiled faintly and handed the [soul stone] to Merlin.

“And don’t burn your souls to transport it. It’s okay if it’s slow—just make sure it gets there safely.”

“Okay!”

“Yeah…”

Merlin and Lust’s delicate eyes sparkled, seemingly moved by Raon’s concern.

“Then I’m counting on you.”

Raon clasped his hands in front of him and nodded to Merlin and Lust.

“Trust me. And…”

Merlin, who had been smiling sweetly, suddenly revealed a chilling gaze.

“That unfinished sentence—you can say the rest after all this is over, right?”

She gave a crazed smile that made it clear she had no intention of backing down.

“After we deliver the [soul stone], I’ll hear everything. In full detail.”

Lust emphasized “in full detail” with a glint of cold steel in her eyes, as if she’d abduct him if he refused.

“……”

The two exchanged a glance, then vanished into the sea soaked in night.

Paaaang!

Raon watched the wave splash right up to his eyes and swallowed dryly.

‘T-They didn’t forget…?’

-Puhuhuhuhuhu!

Wrath snickered, as if he’d known this would happen.

-So smug just a moment ago! All you did was delay the inevitable!

He waved his hand teasingly, telling Raon to figure it out himself.

‘Why are you laughing?’

-Because it’s funny…

‘This isn’t just my problem. Especially Lust—she’s after you, not me.’

-Oh…

Wrath, realizing he was also involved, froze mid-smirk like a statue.

-W-What do we do?! You cursed brat!

He shook his own collar, furious that Raon kept causing problems.

‘Future Raon and Wrath can deal with future problems, right?’

Raon laughed it off, saying they could worry about it later.

-That’s not how this works!

Wrath threw punches, demanding they come up with a plan now.

‘It’ll work out. Right now, we have something more important to do.’

Raon turned his back while enduring Wrath’s punches.

“Why didn’t you step in?”

He looked toward the calm deck and called out to someone hiding in the shadows.

“Vice-division leader?”

At the mention of vice-division leader, Rimmer stepped out from the shadow of the sail drawn by moonlight.

Though he’d watched everything unfold from the start, he hadn’t said a word.

Raon had expected him to step in, so it was honestly surprising.

“How can a vice-division leader stop a division leader?”

Rimmer gave his usual laid-back smile and shrugged.

“Only disrespectful brats like you can pull that off.”

He laughed, saying he was just a powerless old man.

“Still, I didn’t expect you to just stand there while I entrusted the [soul stone] to Merlin.”

Raon lowered his gaze slightly. Rimmer might have acted lazy and carefree, but when it came to important matters, he was even sharper than Raon.

It was definitely unexpected that he said nothing despite seeing it all.

“Just like you said to those two—I trust you.”

Rimmer simply smiled.

“Hmm…”

Raon bit his lip as he looked at Rimmer.

‘He’s different now.’

Rimmer used to say he trusted the Light Wind Division so often it became tiring. But lately, his voice carried a sincerity that hadn’t been there when Raon was a child.

“I feel like I’ve asked this before, but tell me the truth. You’re seriously ill, aren’t you?”

“I told you I’m not!”

Rimmer thumped his chest, insisting he was fine.

-It’s true.

Wrath furrowed his brow as he looked at Rimmer.

-As much as I don’t like him, that pointy-eared bastard is annoyingly healthy.

He snorted, annoyed by Rimmer’s health.

“Then are you planning to go back to Sepia?”

“Why would I return to that boring place! I’ve given my heart and soul to Zieghart!”

Rimmer waved his hands frantically, telling Raon not to say such nonsense.

“Then why have you changed so much?”

“I haven’t changed. I’ve always been like this.”

Rimmer shook his head calmly.

“I was like this from the moment I followed your grandfather and came to Zieghart.”

“But the vice-division leader I knew…”

“Yeah. The fire went out for a while. Partly because of me, and partly because of Zieghart. But I’ve found new kindling to light that fire again.”

He gave Raon a warm smile.

“After seeing new light and hope, and walking alongside it, I knew I had to return to who I used to be.”

Rimmer nodded slightly and turned, heading down to the crew quarters.

-Light? What light?

Wrath tilted his head in confusion.

‘Clueless, aren’t you.’

Raon gave Wrath a pitiful look.

‘Don’t ever call me clueless again.’

-W-Wait, are you saying that was about you?!

Wrath’s eyes went wide in disbelief.

‘Who else would it be?’

-How is someone like you light or hope?! You’re more like darkness and despair!

Wrath shouted that Raon should be called the Demon King of Misery and Manipulation.

-Why can’t anyone see it?! His soul is blacker than any demon’s! Pure pitch black!

* * *

The Azure Wind sailed through day and night until it reached the port town where Sif was last seen.

“Rabawin will stay on the Azure Wind. I’ll go with the Light Wind Division and Paras.”

As soon as they docked, Aris divided the group as if she had already planned it.

“Understood.”

Rabawin nodded, believing it was only right for him to remain on guard since this was their second docking.

“Let’s go.”

Aris bit her nails as she looked toward the back of the town, showing signs of impatience.

“I’ll guide you.”

Paras stepped forward, volunteering to lead.

“Why state the obvious! Just move already!”

Aris slapped Paras’s back. It seemed playful, but her expression was dark.

She was clearly forcing herself to stay composed while anxiety consumed her.

“Yes. I’ll get us there as fast as I can.”

Paras bit his lip and nodded, sensing Aris’s emotions.

“There’s no need for that.”

Aris shook her head.

“If they built a space I couldn’t detect, they’re no ordinary group. Safety comes first. Let’s proceed carefully.”

Though she was worried for her son, she still advised everyone to prioritize their own lives above all else.

“Then let’s proceed calmly.”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded and entered the port town.

As expected of a village that lived off fishing, it wasn’t very large, but the faces of its residents were full of energy and smiles.

There was some wariness toward outsiders, but as a port town, it wasn’t too extreme. It was, quite simply, an ordinary village.

“You’re certain Brother Sif passed through here?”

“Yes.”

Paras looked back and nodded.

“Quite a few people remembered seeing Sir Sif. He’s so handsome, after all. Ah, though of course not as much as you, Sir Raon.”

He threw out a light joke to ease the heavy mood.

“You know it well. My nephew’s the best!”

Aris patted Paras on the shoulder and nodded, wearing her usual expression—but her voice trembled slightly.

“It’ll be alright.”

Raon shook his head as he looked at Aris forcing a smile.

“There’s no guarantee that scream came from Brother Sif. And even if it was him, they wouldn’t kill someone they’ve held captive for so long so suddenly. There will definitely be a chance to rescue him.”

“…Thanks. But this aunt of yours is still too strong to need comforting.”

Aris thanked him for the concern as she gently ruffled her own hair.

“Right. Either way, it’ll be fine.”

She murmured those words as if reaffirming them to herself.

‘This village really is unremarkable.’

Being a small port town, there were barely any [martial artists] to be seen.

It felt like a secluded mountain village within Zieghart’s territory.

‘Which makes it a perfect place to hide something.’

Since few outsiders visited, it seemed like an ideal spot to stash treasure or move unnoticed.

“J-Just heard this…”

Paras stepped closer to Aris and lowered his voice.

“No one’s been seen heading toward or returning from the forest.”

He shook his head, saying that meant the [sorcerers] were likely still in the dungeon.

“Of course, there’s always a chance they took another route, but…”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Aris shook her head, clenching her fist.

“We’ll just smash everything.”

She bit her lip, saying those who use spells to imprison people couldn’t possibly be good.

“Let’s head straight to the dungeon.”

Aris declared there was no point staying in the village and left immediately.

“From here, I’ll increase the pace. Please keep up.”

As soon as they exited the village, Paras dashed into the forest like a streak of black light.

He moved at a pace just barely manageable for the Light Wind Division. The astonishing part was that this wasn’t even his full strength—it was clear he wasn’t just some common thief.

“There won’t be any breaks. Adjust your pace as needed.”

Aris, surrounded by a sharp aura unlike anything before, followed closely behind Paras.

“Just like she said—don’t fall behind. Lady Aris doesn’t have the room to watch over us right now.”

“Yes!”

The Light Wind Division nodded and pushed themselves to follow behind Aris and Paras.

Raon, preparing for the worst-case scenario, sent the Light Wind Division ahead and took the rear position.

After traveling for more than half a day using [footwork], Paras finally came to a stop.

The path had been incredibly rough, and they’d encountered many monsters along the way. It wasn’t a place ordinary people could reach even if they tried.

“This is the place.”

Paras pointed to an area where large trees overlapped with dried, brittle ones. In the shadows of the trees, a bizarre entrance to the underground had opened.

“How did you even find this?”

Burren widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Didn’t you make it yourself?”

Martha exhaled in awe, unable to believe he discovered it.

“My job has always been finding hidden places, not just robbing normal homes.”

Paras shook his head, saying it was part of his profession.

“And Sir Sif is my motivation. We endured years of hardship together in front of the demons. I just had to find him.”

He bowed his head lightly, saying that was all.

“A comrade…”

Runaan nodded as if she understood.

“Let’s go.”

Aris let out a short sigh and stepped into the dungeon without a single joke to spare.

“…Yes.”

Raon nodded heavily. Normally, he would’ve suggested capturing the [sorcerers] for information, but seeing Aris’s dark expression, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

He shook his head slightly and stepped into the shadow-drenched dungeon corridor.

Since the [ancestor’s memory] wasn’t appearing, it likely wasn’t a dungeon created by him.

‘Though I might see it later.’

He had entered the [ancestor’s memory] before just by witnessing remnants of his presence. So, Raon stayed alert and descended carefully.

Despite the lack of light, the inside of the dungeon was clearly visible, as if it had some kind of luminous effect.

-The mana is twisted here. Who could’ve made this?

Wrath glanced around and muttered curiously.

‘You’re right.’

Just like Wrath said, the mana flow inside was different from outside. It felt like the mana itself was hardened.

“Just below…”

While carefully expanding his [perception] and following the group, Aris came to a halt and placed a finger to her lips.

“Someone’s there.”