Raon swallowed dryly as he watched the frost fragments slowly settling.
'Demonic Incarnation, huh...'
Could he have copied the Sword Domain?
Wrath had always said he didn't know formations or barriers.
Seeing him use a barrier that amplified demonic energy, when he used to destroy everything with brute force alone, it was clear he had created it after seeing my Sword Domain.
"This is my barrier, created after observing your martial arts and perseverance."
Wrath nodded calmly, as if answering that question.
"How is it? Isn't my Demonic Incarnation far more beautiful than your Sword Domain?"
He smiled coolly as he raised a leaf-shaped frost fragment on his palm.
'My Sword Domain is much better. But I have to admit, the Demonic Incarnation suits you well.'
I nodded to Wrath, who couldn't hear my voice.
"It's obvious you won't admit it, but for me, Snow Flower is the best."
Wrath arrogantly lifted his chin, as if his opinion wouldn't change no matter what anyone said.
'To be honest...'
Raon bit his lip slightly as he looked at Wrath's proud back.
'I never expected to hear such words from you...'
Wrath had called my back the back of an unyielding swordsman.
I had thought that due to the huge difference in martial prowess, I might be ridiculed by Wrath every time I trained, but it was a big misunderstanding.
He had been secretly acknowledging my perseverance and determination.
In fact, the slashes of Snow Flower that Wrath had unleashed contained the basic sword techniques I had practiced every single day since I first picked up a sword.
Realizing Wrath's true feelings, my heart burned hot. I felt confident that I could go even higher.
"Wait a little longer. It's not over yet."
Wrath raised his eyes, glowing with the light of winter.
"Greed. How long are you going to play dead?"
He flicked his finger towards the dark night sky.
"Let's end this before the lizards arrive."
As if responding to those words, the moonlight split lengthwise and an old gold coin suddenly appeared.
"You've gotten sharper compared to before."
Greed's relaxed voice flowed from the dust-covered gold coin.
"Show yourself, Greed."
"No need to rush."
A faint white light emanated from the gold coin as Greed regained his original form.
However, his shirt was torn to shreds and his body was covered in wounds, suggesting he had truly been in danger.
"The dragons won't be able to come right away."
"What do you mean by that?"
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he looked up at Greed.
"They've run into some trouble."
He lightly tapped his wrist, saying they'd be a bit late.
"What exactly have you been up to?"
"What else would a merchant do but make money? Though today's losses are severe..."
Greed lightly dusted off his hands.
"I had to pour in 100 million just to survive."
'100 million?'
Raon let out a gasp upon hearing those words.
'Did he summon that scale again?'
It seemed Greed had summoned the scale again and poured in 100 million gold coins to survive Wrath's Demonic Incarnation.
"It was a barrier with power befitting you. I would have truly died if not for the scale. However..."
Greed's voice dropped low, very low.
"Next time will be different."
He recited with confidence beyond mere self-assurance.
"No, next time your head will roll."
Wrath twisted his lips as he glared at Greed's golden eyes.
"Hmm..."
Raon frowned as he looked at the motionless Wrath.
'Is this his limit?'
Just as the Sword Domain pours out a swordsman's full power, Wrath's Demonic Incarnation must have consumed most of his demonic energy.
It seemed he didn't have much time or demonic energy left.
"By the way, Wrath."
Greed chuckled as he leaned back in mid-air.
"That barrier you brought out. It's similar to Zieghart's Sword Domain. Could it be..."
His eyes gleamed with a bright yellow light.
"Are you raising a human?"
"The merchant is spouting nonsense again."
Wrath bared his teeth, as white as snow at dawn.
"I raise no one. The immature ones simply gather in my embrace. If you're going to spout such nonsense..."
He raised his finger with force.
"Ah, forget it. If we fight any more, my warehouse will be emptied. Well, there can't be two demon kings raising humans anyway."
"Two? What do you..."
"..."
Greed didn't answer, just drew a faint smile.
"I'll be going now. At this rate, I might get eaten by Gluttony."
"Tsk..."
Gluttony was actually licking her lips while looking at Greed floating in the air.
"Next time... Ah, they've appeared sooner than expected."
Greed stopped mid-gesture. He shrugged his shoulders while alternately looking to his right and left.
"Wrath. Consider this payment for not recognizing you earlier."
As soon as he finished speaking, enormous wings that seemed to be made of gold coins blazed behind Greed's back. An overwhelming demonic energy that seemed to choke one's breath covered the night sky once again.
Whoooosh!
Greed flew west, his presence suppressing Wrath and Gluttony's aura, and soon red and blue flashes followed him.
Raon widened his eyes as he saw the golden radiance emitting the brightest light among the colorful flashes.
'Dragon Lord?'
It was a familiar aura. The Dragon Lord and the dragons had begun chasing after Greed.
'Is that what he meant by paying the price?'
It seemed Greed was repaying for doubting Wrath by luring away the dragons.
'He did say he was a merchant...'
Greed had called himself a merchant, so this was clearly his way of maintaining his credibility.
Wrath watched the chase between Greed and the dragons for a moment before turning his head.
He checked on the unconscious Light Wind division member under the frost tree before approaching Gluttony.
"Gluttony. Suppress your demonic energy."
"Why?"
Gluttony tilted her head, seemingly not understanding the reason.
"Because it'll be troublesome if the lizards come after us."
"We can just eat them if they come, like last time."
She licked her lips as if looking forward to it.
'Huh...?'
Raon let out a gasp as he saw Gluttony's tongue.
'They ate them together?'
It was absurd, but considering they were both gluttons, it seemed entirely possible.
"Tsk tsk."
Wrath clicked his tongue as if finding it pathetic.
"Still picking up and eating stones like a beggar, I see. You haven't changed."
"Then what should I eat?"
Gluttony said this while chewing and swallowing a rebar wrapped in demonic energy.
"Don't tell me you..."
Wrath curled up the corners of his mouth as he looked into Gluttony's murky eyes.
"Have you heard of bead ice cream?" (E/N: well, that one was inevitable)
* * *
Wrath, along with Gluttony who had suppressed her demonic energy and presence, headed towards the bead ice cream store.
Although the ceiling had collapsed, the pillars inside prevented the entire store from being completely crushed.
"Come in."
After confirming that no one was there, Wrath called Gluttony into the store. He looked just like a child inviting a friend into his home.
"What's bead ice cream?"
Gluttony jerked her chin with a disinterested look.
"It's the reason for human existence and a blessing from the demon god." (E/N: sorry, humans. That's how it is.)
Wrath nodded with his hands clasped together.
'What the...'
Raon let out a hollow laugh.
'Since when did something made by humans become a blessing from the demon god!'
What's even funnier is calling it the reason for human existence. It was so absurd that words failed him.
"Heheheh."
Wrath hummed as he crossed over the counter towards where the ice cream was placed.
The ice cream had melted a bit, perhaps due to a broken magic device, but he used cold energy to freeze it again.
"How I've missed this!"
He panted with an ecstatic expression as if he were welcoming a deity.
"This is ice cream?"
Gluttony pouted, saying the quantity was small.
"Quantity isn't important! Just eat it first and then we'll talk!"
Wrath frowned at Gluttony and grabbed a spoon to scoop the bead ice cream.
"How long I've waited for this day."
He shed a tear as he started scooping ice cream into the freezer box. Despite it clearly being his first time, his hand movements were faster than a Quick Sword master.
'This guy...'
Raon shook his head as he watched Wrath scooping the bead ice cream.
'He was saving his strength.'
Greed had hidden his power, but Wrath hadn't used his full strength either.
The reason was to eat ice cream here.
It seemed he had felt frustrated about returning to his original form without properly eating it when he descended before.
He truly was an unmanageable glutton of a demon king.
"It's done!"
Wrath came out from behind the counter after filling the freezer box with all types of bead ice cream.
He handed one of the mountain-like boxes of ice cream to Gluttony.
"Try it."
"Hmm..."
Gluttony slowly looked at the bead ice cream before summoning a white mouth.
"This is small, just a mouthful."
She opened the white mouth slightly and put the ice cream in.
"You gluttonous fool!"
Unable to hold back, Wrath slapped the back of Gluttony's head hard. A smacking sound echoed inside the empty store.
"Ugh..."
Gluttony ducked her head sharply before rolling her eyes.
"Why did you hit me..."
"That's not how you eat it, you uncouth fool! Use your real mouth!"
Wrath shook his head, saying she didn't know how to eat properly.
'Uh...'
Raon also looked at Wrath and Gluttony with a dumbfounded expression.
These so-called demon kings might have unrealistic appearances and auras, but their actions were no different from fools.
"Uh..."
Gluttony scratched the back of her head and erased the white mouth. She opened her real lips and bit into the bead ice cream.
Crunch.
As soon as the sound of ice cream being crunched was heard, Gluttony's murky eyes flashed with a clear light like rubies.
"...What is this?"
"Hehehe."
Wrath nodded as if he had expected this reaction.
"This is what true flavor is, glutton."
He patted Gluttony's shoulder as if he had mastered everything in the human world.
"It's delicious. Really delicious."
Gluttony grinned and continued eating the bead ice cream.
"This! This green ice cream is the real deal!"
Wrath pointed to the mint chocolate placed at the end. There was quite a lot, as if he wanted to recommend it.
"Okay."
Gluttony nodded and put the mint chocolate in her mouth. Then, not even a second later, she stuck out her tongue.
"This one's not so good." (E/N: THANKS! Ah, even Gluttony cannot handle mint chocolate!)
She shook her head for the first time.
"You ignorant fool!"
'She actually has good taste.'
Wrath furrowed his brow, while Raon nodded.
'Well, enjoy yourself today.'
Raon smirked as he watched Wrath enjoying ice cream with Gluttony.
'Since I survived thanks to you.'
Just as Raon was thinking it would be nice if Wrath could enjoy the ice cream a little longer, the guy muttered softly.
"Raon Zieghart. You'll be paying for this ice cream."
'This guy?'
* * *
Wrath and Gluttony only stopped after eating all the ice cream in the store, as if possessed.
Raon sighed as he looked at Wrath's protruding belly.
'Today's definitely going to end with a stomachache.'
Although it looked like Wrath's body, it was ultimately mine. There was no way it would be okay after eating so much ice cream on an empty stomach.
"Nngh..."
After finishing all the ice cream, Gluttony started chewing and swallowing even the metal containers that had held the ice cream.
"This tastes like strawberry."
She grinned, seemingly satisfied with the small amount of ice cream still clinging to the metal container.
"Gluttony, that's enough. Let's go."
Wrath grabbed Gluttony by the scruff of her neck and dragged her out.
"I was so caught up in eating that I forgot, but I have something to tell you."
"Something to tell me?"
Gluttony tilted her head as if asking what he meant.
"Indeed. Do you remember what I said earlier?"
"Which words?"
"Didn't I ask you for your authority?"
Wrath grinned and wagged his finger.
'No way!'
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at Wrath. Judging from Wrath's current smile, it seemed like he was about to say he didn't need that authority anymore. (E/N: you are far too naive, Raon Zieghart...)
'This cunning bastard...'
It was clear he intended to prevent me from getting Gluttony's power since he promised to protect me from Greed. (E/N: unsure translation)
'I have to push him out.'
Missing out on Greed was understandable, but he couldn't afford to lose Gluttony as well.
He drew out the dormant realm of his soul to its maximum.
"Actually, about that..."
Just as Wrath was about to continue with a sly smile, the realm of the soul drawn out by the Ring of Fire pushed out his soul and regained control of the body.
Whooooosh!
The blue demon king's body faded away, revealing Raon's original appearance.
"...What?"
Gluttony, having seen this form before, merely blinked without surprise.
"Actually, we need to do this quickly. Give me your authority now."
As soon as he regained control of his body, Raon lifted his chin, imitating Wrath.
-Kehehek! No, you can't!
Wrath, now back as a cotton candy, coughed dryly and waved his hands, but of course, Gluttony couldn't hear him.
-Damn it all! I spent too much time eating!
He let out a howl, lamenting that all the time had been spent eating ice cream.
'Whew...'
Raon exhaled briefly.
'My mind is hazy.'
His body and mind were in shambles from the aftermath of the demon king's descent. He couldn't even accurately assess how injured he was or what he had lost.
But he couldn't collapse here. Even if it killed him, he had to receive Gluttony's authority.
"You sure talk in a complicated way."
Gluttony pouted and nodded.
-Ah, no! You can't! Don't give this brat anything more!
'Who told you to eat ice cream like that?'
-Nnngh, who knows when we'll get another chance like this!
Wrath whimpered and shook his head.
'Anyway, it's already over.'
As Raon was pushing away the struggling Wrath, Gluttony grabbed his wrist.
Wooooong!
Through Gluttony's grip, a sticky yet empty feeling seeped in.
It was a sensation similar to, yet different from, receiving Wrath's anger, Sloth's laziness, and Envy's jealousy.
Chiiiiik!
When Gluttony removed her hand, a white flower bracelet had formed on his wrist.
"I made it the same shape as the others."
"Ah, a flower..."
Raon let out a sigh. In his dizzy state, while pushing away Wrath, he didn't have time to specify the shape he wanted.
-Damn it all! That's the one thing you shouldn't have given!
Wrath clutched his head as if this was the worst possible outcome.
'It's already done, can't be helped now.'
I'll have to get something else instead.
"Gluttony."
Raon raised the white flower bracelet towards Gluttony.
"Is there any way to unlock this quickly?"
"If I do that too, I'll be hungry..."
"Then I'll give you something that lets you eat bead ice cream elsewhere too."
"An item that lets me eat ice cream?"
"Yes."
Raon nodded and took out a pile of gold coins from his Subspace Pouch.
-Th-This can't be!
Wrath shook his head so quickly that his mouth was barely visible.
-If you help this brat, you'll be ruined too! He's the one who will destroy Devildom!
"If you go to a place that smells like ice cream and offer these gold coins, you can eat all you want."
Ignoring Wrath, Raon showed the gold coins to Gluttony.
"Oh..."
Gluttony nodded approvingly and caressed the flower bracelet.
Whooooosh.
As she removed her hand, a subtle vitality began to bloom in the white petals.
"It will awaken after you take a nap."
"Thank you."
Raon nodded and handed over the pile of gold coins to Gluttony.
-Ugh, damn it all!
Wrath gnashed his teeth.
-Both you who obtained Gluttony, and that glutton who can eat more ice cream by herself, infuriate me! Keh!
He cursed both of them, punching the air.
-Still, there's one fortunate thing.
Wrath let out a short sigh.
'Fortunate?'
-If you had devoured Greed's greed as well, you would have truly become a monster. It's good that I let him go.
Wrath shook his head, saying that while he acknowledged perseverance, he absolutely couldn't stand mooching.
'Could it be that he didn't run out of time, but deliberately let Greed go?'
-Hehehe, I'll prevent you from mooching...
Just as he was flashing a thin smile.
[You have received the favor of
[You have received the acknowledgment of
[You have made
[You have achieved an impossible feat.]
-W-Wait, don't tell me...
As if responding to Wrath's trembling, messages began to scroll up beneath.
-Ah, no!
Wrath let out a scream.
-Most of those were done by me, so why is this brat getting credit!
'With this level of reward...'
Raon caressed the flower bracelet of Gluttony while watching the wailing Wrath.
'Even the flower bracelet is worth wearing!'
-Shut up!