Chapter 1037
Chapter 1037
Chapter 1037
Raon remained stationed near the bow of the small vessel, fixing his gaze upon the approaching shoreline. The coastal haven and the settlement sprawling behind it lay entirely in shambles, appearing as though an overwhelming surge of water had violently swept across the entire landscape.
“There are considerably more individuals here than I had anticipated.”
Raon narrowed his gaze, taking note of the numerous figures wandering amid the fractured remnants of the township.
“That is because the harbor has lost its prior ruler,”
Lawaine remarked, his voice elevated over the roar of the incoming tide while dressed in the modest garments of an ordinary sailor.
“The apostle from the White Blood Religion responsible for ravaging this coast has perished, and the tyrannical Kusar Pirates who relentlessly demanded tribute are likewise finished. As a result, settlers have flocked here to carve out fresh lives. A comparable pattern is undoubtedly unfolding in nearby shores and outlying settlements.”
A proud grin crept onto Lawaine’s face, quietly signaling his belief that these civilians owed their newfound safety to his own efforts alongside the Light Wind Palace.
“That works out well for us, then.”
Raon moistened his lips as he tracked the laborers clearing shattered masonry and flattening the rugged soil.
“Our presence won’t stand out, even if we move without excessive caution.”
He had originally intended to proceed with extreme stealth from this point onward, but with such chaotic crowds swarming the site, blending in would require little subterfuge.
“The breeze is quite refreshing, and the vista is rather striking.”
Evelyn walked up beside him, lightly smoothing back the dark locks of hair she had dyed for disguise.
“Should we claim a plot of ground early? It could serve as a splendid spot for a summer retreat.”
Her face lit up with an easy smile, playfully imagining a private getaway to frequent during the warm months.
“A rather pleasant proposal,”
Roenn murmured with a quiet chuckle, observing the surrounding docks while masked under the guise of an ordinary, middle-aged wanderer.
“If the two of you construct a residence, I would gladly oversee its upkeep.”
His altered posture, cadence, and visage were so thoroughly transformed that even a familiar acquaintance would fail to recognize him. It was a stark reminder of why he had earned the title of Killing King.
“We hardly have the leisure for such diversions.”
Raon shook his head without hesitation.
“Forget the distant future; we cannot even predict the perils of tomorrow.”
With a concrete clue regarding the main stronghold of the White Blood Religion now in their grasp, a catastrophic clash was unavoidable. In a looming conflict where anyone might perish, casual banter about coastal retreats felt entirely out of place.
“You should not look at it that way!”
Evelyn lightly wagged her finger back and forth before his eyes.
“Moments like these require an untroubled heart. One must visualize pleasant days ahead.”
Her gentle expression remained steady as she explained that clinging to hopeful visions had sustained her even during her grueling days within Eden.
“I constantly pictured you at my side, and now here we are, together just as I dreamed, aren’t we?”
Evelyn slipped her arm through his, curving her lips into a fond smirk.
“Hahaha!”
Roenn let out a warm, booming laugh, thoroughly amused by Evelyn’s bright demeanor.
“Lady Evelyn speaks the truth. Harboring joyful visions of tomorrow gives us greater strength to endure the present!”
He brought his hands together in light applause, affirming that retaining hope was always the superior choice.
“I share the sentiment. Maintaining an optimistic outlook is far wiser.”
Lawaine offered a nod of agreement, asserting that matters would inevitably resolve themselves favorably if one maintained good spirits.
“I appreciate that both of you grasp the concept!”
Thrilled by their shared approval, Evelyn pulled Raon’s arm even closer against herself.
“Sigh…”
Raon let out a resigned breath while gently prying his limb free from her grasp.
‘Since when have these three become so intimate?’
Though Evelyn, Roenn, and Lawaine were aware of one another’s identities, they had rarely shared meaningful dialogue prior to this expedition. Yet after merely a day together, their camaraderie resembled that of lifelong companions, leaving Raon feeling curiously alienated.
-That scheming woman has undoubtedly cast some bewitching charm to force their affection.
Wrath shook his tiny head in disdain, writing her off as an intolerable eccentric.
‘No, that is not the case.’
Raon knit his brows while observing Evelyn’s bright expression.
‘She managed to charm everyone within the annex as well.’
Sylvia, Edgar, Sia, and even Helen along with the rest of the household staff consistently delighted in her company, eagerly seeking chances to converse with her. Her natural social magnetism bordered on the absurd.
‘She even managed to disarm Grandfather.’
Even Glenn had openly expressed a wish to see her again, demonstrating that her warmth had an effect on practically anyone.
‘She completely misinterpreted the counsel Cela gave her.’
It was obvious that when Cela instructed her daughter to take the initiative, Evelyn took it as an absolute command to charge relentlessly straight forward.
“Here is our stop.”
Lawaine raised an arm as he guided the small vessel toward a fractured pier that resembled a jagged bluff sheared off by an avalanche.
“This corresponds to the oceanic pathway leading toward the northern expanse that I brought up earlier. Proceed straight along the heading I am indicating.”
He nodded, explaining that once they set out into the open deep from this shoreline, the visual markers etched into his recollection ought to emerge.
“I will patrol the surrounding waters and stand by for your return.”
With a wave, Lawaine steered the craft back out, wishing them a fruitful excursion.
“Time to head up.”
Raon signaled toward Roenn and Evelyn with a slight tip of his head before stepping onto the damaged quayside. While numerous people were engaged in rebuilding, the immense breadth of the harbor made the workforce look sparse.
“This section is occupied! Find your own ground!”
Several settlers situated near the harbor edge and the prime plots within the urban center gestured aggressively, shooing away new arrivals to monopolize the best parcels.
“Their greed moves swiftly.”
Raon offered a quiet murmur before steering their group toward the desolate fringes where fewer people gathered. After finding an obscured pocket out of sight, he looked back toward Roenn and Evelyn.
“We will maintain the appearance of establishing a base here during the sunlight hours, then carry out our investigations under the cover of night.”
Since they had no way of knowing where the White Blood Religion had placed their eyes, constructing a convincing cover seemed the most prudent course.
“Understood.”
Roenn gave an agreeable nod, indicating he would simply follow Raon’s lead.
“In that case, let us begin work on the retreat we discussed!”
Evelyn beamed, insisting that if they had to put on an act, they ought to build a proper dwelling while they were at it.
“Proceed however you like…”
Raon conceded with a weary nod, recognizing that arguing with the look on her face would be entirely futile.
“Splendid! Leave the heavy lifting to me!”
The moment she obtained his consent, Evelyn went straight to work, hauling and tossing massive chunks of shattered stone with her bare hands.
“The young mistress appears equally suited to managing workers and laboring on the front lines.”
Roenn chuckled under his breath, genuinely admiring her vigor.
“Naturally! I have dabbled in just about everything.”
Evelyn let out a proud laugh, evidently pleased by his praise.
“Whew…”
Raon drew in a long breath while gazing upon the rolling waves.
‘Things are spiraling into absurdity once more.’
-I warned you repeatedly not to bring that demoness along!
Wrath huffed with an irritated snort, demanding why Raon had failed to heed his advice.
-She is outright terrifying!
‘She frightens me just as much!’
Naturally, he had to keep that admission strictly to himself.
Within an unblemished white chamber hung eight cascading crimson drapes. Puffs of pale vapor rose steadily toward the ceiling, entirely untouched by any ray of natural sunlight.
“The 9th Apostle has fallen?”
The woman of unparalleled grace lounging atop the scarlet Throne lowered her slender pipe, narrowing her dark, obsidian-like irises. She was the absolute ruler of the White Blood Religion, a pillar among the Five Demons, and the sovereign commander over tens of thousands of blood demons.
“That is correct. His remains were discovered within the boundaries of Sikot Port.”
The 10th Apostle remained prostrated before the base of the Throne, pressing his forehead low.
“Could it possibly be…”
The leader tapped the stem of her pipe against the platform, a specific name resurfacing from recent dispatches.
“Raon Zieghart?”
A crease formed between her flawless brows, the mere utterance of the moniker seeming to sour her mood.
“He was present at the scene. Even so…”
The 10th Apostle dared to lift his eyes slightly, meeting her glassy dark gaze.
“It was not Raon Zieghart who ended the 9th Apostle’s life, but rather Martha Zieghart, who commands the Natchal Division.”
He lowered his head once more, clarifying that the 9th Apostle had already suffered a fatal defeat at Martha’s hands before Raon ever reached the battlefield.
“Martha Zieghart? Has that fledgling already accumulated enough might to strike down the 9th Apostle?”
A sharp hiss of breath slipped through the leader’s lips as the memory of Martha crossed her mind.
“It appears she underwent an unexpected breakthrough in understanding.”
The 10th Apostle relayed that while he had not witnessed the duel firsthand, Martha seemed to have evolved her prowess right in the midst of battling the 9th Apostle.
“And what became of the Blood Spirit Ship, along with the Blood Wolf?”
“The Blood Spirit Ship was severed into four segments and plunged to the ocean floor, while the Blood Wolf…”
He hesitated, pressing his lips tightly together as if loath to deliver the final verdict.
“The 9th Apostle offered up his personal vital essence to force the beast into an unbridled fury, yet it was entirely wiped out by Raon Zieghart.”
“The Blood Wolf was wiped out? An entity possessing power comparable to an upper transcendent level?”
The leader’s fingers tightened violently around her slender pipe until the polished material groaned.
“A foul premonition gripped me the very second that abominable name surfaced…”
As her tone dropped to a menacing register, the red draperies surrounding the chamber began to billow frantically, shimmering as though weeping fresh blood.
“Ugh…”
A violent shudder ran through the 10th Apostle as the suffocating, frigid pressure of her presence bore down on him.
‘Her sanguinary force has expanded yet again.’
Ever since consuming Ogram’s blood, the sovereign of the White Blood Religion seemed to have shattered her prior limitations entirely, radiating an increasingly unfathomable aura during every subsequent audience. At this stage, estimating the true depths of her evolution was utterly impossible.
“He severed the neck of the Black Tower Master, rent the spiritual form of The Fallen utilizing the Soul Sword, and now he has managed to obliterate that spirit as well? Accepting this would be difficult even if he were the literal rebirth of a god of battle.”
The leader of the White Blood Religion clicked her tongue in sharp irritation, finding every piece of news concerning Raon increasingly absurd to stomach.
“An utterly infuriating wretch.”
A plume of blood-tinted smoke escaped her lips, laying bare the genuine wrath simmering within her chest.
“Haah…”
Slowly, the leader shifted her clear eyes back toward the 10th Apostle, her composure returning as though the exhaled smoke had carried away her initial fury.
“Reinforce the defensive wards and protective arrays shielding our base immediately. Shift the geological landscape of the surrounding terrain as well. Furthermore, seal off all ingress and egress from the exterior entirely.”
She gestured dismissively with her chin, knocking loose the accumulated soot inside her pipe.
“Do you believe they are actively attempting to locate our primary lair?”
“Neither the 9th Apostle nor the subordinate blood demons would have divulged our sanctuary. Still, the possibility remains that they inspected the mechanisms aboard the vessel, making caution the only prudent path.”
She lowered her arm, signaling that comprehensive precautions were mandatory under the prevailing circumstances.
“Your will shall be carried out.”
Sharing the leader’s evaluation, the 10th Apostle arose without lingering and retreated from the pristine white hall.
Resting the stem of her pipe against her vermilion lips, the leader looked down at the pale flesh of her hand, pristine as if shielded from the sun for an eternity. Her expression tightened slightly upon noticing a small cluster of skin rising along the surface like glistening scales.
“The transformation begins sooner than anticipated.”
Beneath the faint glow of a waning crescent moon, Raon, Evelyn, and Roenn gathered along an isolated shoreline, clad in dark specialized garments etched with luminous azure runes.
“I have imbued these aquatic garments with specialized formulas to mask our presence and eliminate sound. It is an exclusive creation of mine. Even a Transcendent will find it exceedingly difficult to trace us.”
Evelyn offered an assured grin, emphasizing that detecting them would pose a severe challenge even to an exalted master.
-I… I find myself compelled to admit that the girl possesses remarkable aptitude in this craft…
Wrath shifted uncomfortably, acknowledging that even from his standing as the Monarch of Wrath, her technical prowess was undeniably impressive.
“On top of that, I designed the material to negate any ripples or wake caused while swimming through the depths.”
Evelyn brandished a confident fist, stating that their swimming motions would never give them away.
“I refrained from adding an invisibility enchantment, however, as the extra burden might lead to mana leakage.”
She swayed a finger back and forth, explaining that operating without light distortion was the safer alternative.
“The suit is astonishingly nimble and unrestrictive, particularly considering the complex enhancements woven inside.”
Roenn chuckled softly, confirming that circulating his internal energy felt completely unhindered.
“You managed an incredible feat within such a compressed timeframe.”
Raon ran a hand over the fabric Evelyn had fashioned, offering genuine thanks.
“Please, there is hardly any reason to trade formalities between the two of us.”
Evelyn gave herself a reassuring pat on the back, waving off the gratitude as entirely unnecessary.
“L-Let us proceed then, shall we?”
Raon signaled for the pair to stay close behind before breaking the surface of the sea and plunging into the cold water.
-Are you confident in the heading?
‘Yes. The mental layout remains distinct.’
The moment the frigid brine surrounded him, the trajectory preserved within the sea spirit’s memories flashed into view. The path clearly demanded they chart a course due north toward deeper marine trenches.
[Stay on my tail.]
Sending a private aura transmission toward Roenn and Evelyn, Raon began swimming with measured strokes, tracing the route etched by the aquatic entity.
‘These garments would fetch an extraordinary price on the market.’
The utility of Evelyn’s gear quickly proved itself. Drawing breath felt effortless, while a minor kick generated remarkable forward momentum through the water.
[This is quite pleasant. It carries the romantic charm of a honeymoon excursion with Raon.]
Evelyn smiled brightly, playfully extending her hand toward a school of drifting fish.
[Hahaha.]
Roenn offered a grandfatherly rumble of quiet mirth, visibly entertained by Evelyn’s unflagging cheerfulness.
[Maintain silence, please…]
Raon lightly pressed a hand against Evelyn’s mouth to steady her, redirecting his focus entirely onto the underwater terrain.
‘I recognize this area.’
The spirit had provided far more than a simple route toward the White Blood Religion’s stronghold; it had seared distinct markers like peculiar boulder formations and unique sea vegetation straight into Raon’s consciousness. Relying on those guideposts allowed him to navigate without wavering.
[Our destination is drawing near. Extreme vigilance is required from here on.]
Based on the entity’s recollections, they were rapidly closing in on the perimeter of the hostile headquarters. Given the likelihood of defensive barriers and concealed wards, total suppression of their presence and a cautious pace were paramount.
‘Past this threshold, we should come upon… Wait, what is this?’
Why was the marker missing? According to the mental impressions left by the spirit, a massive stone structure resembling a tortoise shell ought to have anchored this sector, yet his vision revealed absolutely nothing of the sort. For the very first time, doubt crept into his thoughts, as every previous landmark had matched the memory flawlessly.
‘Did our heading stray off course? No, this bearing is undeniably accurate.’
He swept his gaze over the surrounding seabed just to be certain, but the surrounding zones bore zero resemblance to the spirit’s impressions.
‘Orienting ourselves without the visual markers is going to be exceptionally troublesome…’
Nothing greeted his vision save for endless stretches of gray sand lining the ocean floor. Under such conditions, determining the correct trajectory was practically an impossible task.
[Search the surrounding seabed for a stone formation shaped like a tortoise shell.]
Raon detailed the visual traits of the rock to Evelyn and Roenn before slowly advancing further north.
‘The towering cluster of pink coral that was supposed to appear immediately after the tortoise rock is missing as well.’
Having lost their bearing at the first vanished marker, locating the subsequent checkpoint was proving impossible.
‘Could our movements have been detected?’
He weighed the possibility that the White Blood Religion had caught wind of their tracking efforts and shifted accordingly.
‘No, that seems highly improbable.’
Had they truly uncovered the pursuit, their response would hardly have been so subtle. Their heightened state of alert was far more likely a byproduct of the submersible’s destruction.
[Heighten your guard to the utmost.]
Raon warned Roenn and Evelyn that enemy patrols might be active in the vicinity before fully engaging his Azure Clear Eye. The extraordinary visual prowess that peered through illusions uncovered neither traces of corrupt sanguinary essence nor artificial energy patterns.
‘Wrath.’
Clicking his tongue in mild frustration, Raon reached out toward the entity residing within him.
‘Are your senses picking up anything unusual?’
-Minor environmental shifts certainly unfolded across this region quite recently. That being said, the alterations do not stem from sorcery or runic incantations.
Wrath shook his head, explaining that while the landscape had undeniably shifted, pinpointing the exact catalyst eluded him.
‘If your senses fail to detect it, the anomaly cannot be anywhere in this immediate zone…’
Letting out an inward sigh, Raon resumed his northward drift.
‘We will have to scour the area from scratch.’
Allowing the oceanic currents to guide his posture, he persistently surveyed the gloomy depths, yet no hidden structures revealed themselves. Vast expanses of lifeless sand and murky water were all that met his gaze. Ultimately, Raon retreated toward the harbor just prior to dawn, entirely empty-handed.
“Phew… that will be all for tonight.”
Raon looked toward Evelyn and Roenn, shaking the brine from his wet hair.
“The morning light is already breaking. We have little choice but to withdraw,”
Evelyn replied with composed understanding.
“Do not allow disappointment to weigh on you. Undertakings of this nature demand immense perseverance,”
Roenn added, dipping his chin to remind Raon against succumbing to impatience.
“The fact that the familiar terrain has been altered practically confirms that the White Blood Religion is nestled close by.”
He brought his palms together, maintaining that the enemy’s active concealment was proof enough of their proximity, making steady composure vital.
“I am of the same mind. From the moment we lost the trail, not a single sea beast or ordinary fish was visible.”
“Now that you mention it…”
Raon’s eyes widened slightly as the significance of Evelyn’s observation struck him. True to her words, the aquatic wildlife had completely vanished within that specific perimeter.
“Your deduction is sound. Something is definitely concealed down there.”
Evelyn shrugged lightly, maintaining that the White Blood Religion was unquestionably responsible for the emptiness, even if the precise mechanism remained elusive.
“Indeed. We will systematically tighten the search perimeter step by step.”
Raon offered a faint, appreciative smile toward Roenn and Evelyn, whose reassurance helped sustain his resolve.
“In that case, shall we resume construction on our shared villa?”
Evelyn sidled up close beside him, enthusiastically pitching their romantic architectural endeavor once more.
“Good grief.”
Raon released a heavy, weary breath as Evelyn giggled merrily.
‘Managing this companionship might prove more exhausting than the mission itself.’
Raon knit his brows into a deep frown as his head broke above the water’s surface.
‘Still nothing.’
For ten consecutive nights following their opening excursion, they had returned to the marine depths to uncover the stronghold of the White Blood Religion, yet every single attempt had failed to produce a viable trace.
‘The imprinted imagery is slipping away…’
Because the recollections did not originate from his personal experiences, the mental images bestowed by the aquatic entity were growing faint with each passing day. He had to uncover the fortress before the mental landmarks vanished completely into obscurity.
“Are you holding up well?”
Evelyn looked upon him with unmistakable concern in her eyes.
“Perhaps we should pause and rest for a spell?”
Roenn suggested, his brow dipping in sympathy as he proposed a brief respite.
“No. A sliver of time remains before the dawn breaks; we should carry out one more sweep.”
Just as Raon raised his hand to signal their return beneath the waves, a concentrated spray of water bubbled up between himself and Evelyn. Upon settling, the liquid coalesced into the form of a miniature wolf resting atop the surface. It was the very sea spirit he had liberated.
“You…”
Raon’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment at the unexpected return of the small creature.
“Kyaryung.”
The tiny spirit narrowed its eyes with visible delight, gently rubbing its wet snout against Raon’s palm.
“Is this the spirit you told us about? It is remarkably precious!”
Evelyn gently stroked the crown of its head, remarking that the entity was far more endearing in person than she had envisioned.
“Kya-ling!”
The miniature wolf shifted its attention back toward Raon, lightly pawing at the surface of the sea. Its gesture made it abundantly clear that it intended to dive back into the depths alongside them.
“You don’t mean…”
Raon swallowed dryly, staring straight into the creature’s crystal-clear gaze.
“You intend to guide our path personally?”
“Kyaung!”
The sea spirit bobbed its head vigorously, affirming his realization.
“Yet the terror you felt…”
The young creature had previously been ensnared by the leader of the White Blood Religion and subjected to horrific magical corruption; simply venturing back near that domain had to be an agonizing ordeal. Even within the memories it had projected into his mind, the entity’s overwhelming dread had been palpable.
“Are you genuinely prepared to face this?”
Raon pressed his lips into a tight line as he cradled the creature’s small front paws.
“Kiao!”
The sea spirit let out a brave, quiet yip to project reassurance, yet its tiny limbs betrayed a persistent, involuntary tremble against the lingering trauma. Even so, its faith in Raon remained absolute.
“Then I shall place our direction in your care. I swear to shield you from harm, no matter the cost.”
Raon gave an earnest nod while gently smoothing the soft fur along its neck.
“Kwak!”
The small spirit beamed with evident trust before turning and disappearing into the ocean depths.
“Let us move.”
Raon signaled to Evelyn and Roenn, beckoning them to follow closely behind.
“We shall uncover the truth this time.”
With a swift hand signal, Raon broke through the surface and descended into the abyss. They followed closely behind the glowing silhouette of the sea spirit, whose gentle radiance seemed to part the icy waters of the deep. Gazing at the tiny creature trembling yet pressing forward against the terror of the White Blood Religion, Raon clenched his fist with unyielding determination.
‘This time, we will not fail.’
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