Chapter 467

Raon observed Glenn instead of paying attention to the messages. Glenn was tapping on the armrest of his throne. He seemed to be contemplating what to do.

"I agree with the Light Wind division leader."

The Void Sword division leader, Serena, was the first person to raise her hand.

"If it weren't for the Light Wind vice division leader's stormy period of adolescence, we would've had to surrender to the Thespian Emperor's tricks. I believe he deserves that much reward at least."

She smiled while calling it a stormy period of adolescence instead of puberty.

"I concur."

"I even want to give him my salary when I think about the Thespian Emperor's irritated face."

"I know, right? I never expected this to end so nicely."

The division leaders agreed with Serena and nodded without hesitation.

Raon averted his gaze from the division leaders who agreed with Rimmer and looked at the palace masters instead.

"..."

Karoon simply closed his eyes without saying anything. He seemed to have no intention of interfering, unlike in the past.

"I think he deserves even more rewards. It was an amazing achievement that couldn't be accomplished with power alone."

Denier seemed excited as he praised Raon's actions.

"Ahem, that's fine for today."

Balder shook his hand, gesturing that Raon should take the treasures already.

"Ooh!"

Rimmer cheerfully clapped his hands.

"It's so rare for everyone to agree. What happened to you?"

He went towards Glenn while murmuring that it was perfect.

"You heard them, my lord! Everyone agrees."

"Hmm…"

Glenn calmly looked at Raon. He suppressed the twitching of his lips to the best of his abilities and closed his mouth tightly.

'He did a great job. There's nothing else to say. He has far surpassed my expectations.'

He was slightly worried when Raon previously declared that he was going to act like a child and turn it into a mess.

The influence that he had started to gain in the house could have decreased if he'd made any mistakes, as the palace masters and the division leaders were also present.

'But you've done great.'

Raon had rammed at the Thespian Emperor like a real punk despite his worries.

He managed to break the Thespian Emperor's mental fortitude, and she had to give away all of her money and information—and even gained an internal injury on top.

The injury wasn't that serious, but it wasn't insignificant either, and she would be forced to recuperate for a while.

'The most satisfying part is something else, though…'

Glenn looked at the executives who were raining praises upon Raon. They'd always underestimated him or been hostile towards him, yet they were nodding at him while praising his achievement.

The fact that his grandson was finally being recognized by the executives leading the house pleased him far more than the Thespian Emperor's assets.

He even wanted to run down there and pat Raon's head because he was so proud of him for gradually making his own path.

"I see."

Glenn slowly snapped his fingers. A golden dimension opened up and started to absorb all of the treasures left behind by the Thespian Emperor.

"Huh?"

Rimmer widened his eyes in surprise.

"Why are you taking them for yourself?!"

Glenn ignored him and put all of the treasures in his subspace.

'What else? It's obviously because I want to give him even more than this.'

That stupid Rimmer wanted to give the additional part to Raon.

Since it wasn't that much, Glenn was planning to reward him with a lot more higher-quality assets afterward. Combining the Thespian Emperor's assets was the first step for that purpose.

"Light Wind vice division leader."

Glenn called out to Raon after he closed the treasury.

"Yes."

Raon stepped forward and bowed to him.

"Since everyone agreed, it's only natural for me to accept. I'll send a portion of the Thespian Emperor's assets to the annex building."

"Thank you."

Glenn rolled his lips into a smile while covering his chin with his hand.

'I'm sure Sylvia will be happy about it as well.'

Considering Raon's personality, he wasn't going to talk about it too much to Sylvia. Glenn wanted to make Sylvia smile by sending it as a reward from the lord's manor.

'Everything was satisfying today—except for one thing.'

Glenn faintly twisted his lips. He was mostly satisfied, but one thing troubled him.

It was how Raon learned to act like a punk. However, he already had an answer to the question.

Tsk tsk.

Rimmer clicked his tongue while looking at Glenn's wavering throat.

'He's so obvious.'

He could tell what Glenn was thinking at a glance, probably because they'd been together for such a long time.

'I bet he's suppressing his urge to hug his grandson.'

Rimmer could tell that Glenn was hiding his urge because he was worried that Raon would end up bearing his karma and the hostility of the other direct lines.

'No, regardless of all that, he is probably just shy.'

Glenn must've been feeling awkward about being friendlier towards Raon because he'd only helped Raon behind the scenes since his childhood.

'But he's improved a bit recently.'

The encouraging part was that the distance between Raon and Glenn was gradually getting smaller, even though the slow pace was so frustrating to watch.

"Haa."

Rimmer sighed, and Glenn's voice could be heard.

"Everyone except for the Light Wind division leader will leave now."

Glenn ordered the executives to leave since it was over.

"Huh?"

Rimmer's eyes went wide.

"You want me?"

"Yes."

"Why m—Ah!"

Rimmer thought about it and realized the reason.

'I must be getting some extra rewards since I've been taking good care of Raon.'

Since Glenn didn't look furious, it seemed to be the only explanation.

"Understood!"

Rimmer nodded and responded loud and clear.

"Light Wind vice division leader! Good job!"

"Your eloquence was amazing."

"How did you even come up with that? I wonder what's inside your head."

"That was so satisfying. I'll buy you a drink later."

The division leaders smiled or waved their hands while asking him to hang out later on.

Karoon walked past him without saying anything, Balder was rolling his eyes with a sour look on his face, and Denier nodded at him to praise him.

"I'll be taking my leave."

"Wait."

Glenn raised his hand when Raon was about to leave after he bowed.

"Where did you learn to act like a punk? It should be impossible to come up with that act on your own."

"It's all thanks to the exemplary model standing next to me."

Raon immediately pointed at Rimmer without giving it a second thought.

"N-no! You've far surpassed me already! You are better than your master!"

Rimmer felt a chill running down his spine and frantically shook his head.

"Not at all. I'm not even at half your level, division leader."

"I'm telling you the truth! You were the perfect punk today!"

"You've always been a perfect punk, division leader."

The teacher and the student called each other a punk while pointing fingers.

"I'll be taking my leave."

Raon kept saying that it was all thanks to Rimmer's exemplary life as a punk until he left the audience chamber, and Glenn and Rimmer were the only ones left in the room.

Rumble!

Glenn slowly stood up from the throne. The frightening energy bursting from the audience chamber's floor was as frightening as when he was facing the Thespian Emperor.

"I understand now how you've been acting in front of the children all along."

"Y-you are misunderstanding! I might be crazy, but Raon's madness has far surpassed mine! He's blessed by the punk god!"

"He's not a punk. He's just in his puberty."

"Puberty? His mind was already an adult the moment he was born! Puberty my ass!"

Rimmer stomped the ground in denial, but Glenn raised his hand without hesitation.

"W-wait! Raon got the gold ingots thanks to you! Let's call it quits with that…"

"That's why it will be halved."

"Halved?"

"I'll make you half dead."

Whaaam!

Karoon quietly left the audience chamber along with Balder, who had an excited expression on his face.

"I never expected him to be helpful in my lifetime."

Balder rolled his lips into a smile while scratching his thick neck.

"His madness becomes an unstoppable sword when it's directed at an enemy from outside. Did you see the Thespian Emperor's face?"

He grinned, saying that he liked what Raon had done for once.

"I saw it. Her composure was completely destroyed. She must've even gained an internal injury."

Karoon quietly nodded.

"Kuhahahaha!"

Balder covered his forehead and burst into laughter.

"I wasn't mistaken! I should've given him a gift before I left!"

He seemed to have taken some liking to Raon. He was as much of a simpleton as he looked.

"Did you see his face? He was so determined to start a mess… hmm?"

Balder furrowed his brow while looking at Karoon, who remained silent all along.

"Why are you frowning? I know you don't like him, but he deserves some recognition this time. He caught the rat that was trying to make use of our house."

"Yes, it was worthy of recognition. What he did was extremely helpful for the house. However…"

Karoon slowly turned his head around. His eyes were as quiet as a snake targeting its prey.

"Where did it happen today?"

"At the lord's manor, of course."

"Yes. It happened at the lord's manor. And the only person who is free to act there is our father."

"Ah…"

Balder finally realized the strangeness of the situation and his eyes widened.

"Our father would've stopped us if we tried to make fun of the Thespian Emperor. However, Raon did whatever he wanted today—as if he were in his own room."

"Which means…"

"Yes. Our father's attitude towards Raon has changed."

The atmosphere around them froze along with Karoon's quiet voice.

"A-aren't you exaggerating? Raon is still young…"

"I wouldn't have cared about him if he'd recently become a Master or was at the novice level. However, he is currently at the highest level Master, and he's powerful enough to consecutively defeat other highest level Masters."

He ground his teeth while thinking about Raon.

"It looks like our father is trying to make him compete against us."

* * *

The Shadow Agents' leader, Chad, came to Raon when he left the lord's manor.

"Thank you for your efforts."

He bowed, praising his efforts since he was aware that Raon was acting like a thug on purpose.

"It's fine."

It was honestly effortless for Raon. He could clearly see how to act since the perfect textbook, Rimmer, was right next to him.

"This is a small gift from me. Please have it at home."

Chad handed out a small box wrapped in a luxurious package.

"Ah, I'm really fine…"

"It's a dessert that I think you will like, vice division leader. Please accept it."

He gave Raon the box while saying that it was just a small gift, then stepped back.

"See you later, then."

Chad bowed once again and left without hesitation.

Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the box that Chad gave him.

'Is it the macarons that he gave me before?'

Since Chad had previously given him macarons, Raon figured it would be another dessert.

'He's another person that I can't be careless around.'

Raon thought that he couldn't be careless around Chad since he still couldn't understand his intentions.

That doesn't matter!

Wrath surged like a fountain with a frown on his face.

Let's go buy the ice cream already! You promised!

He grabbed Raon's sleeve and shook it, urging him to go to the ice cream shop.

'Alright.'

Raon nodded. Wrath still hadn't managed to eat the ice cream he wanted because of the various incidents that had happened.

He did actually have an ice cream, but he'd declared it didn't count because it was Nadine bread-flavored.

'Let's go.'

Raon nodded since he hadn't been able to keep his promise up to that point. He went to the shop while thinking that he would buy all of the ice cream Wrath wanted to eat.

'I should check the messages on the way.'

Raon loaded the messages that he'd removed without checking them out in the audience chamber.

He thought Wrath was going to start causing a ruckus, but he had his eyes closed with his hands put together.

'What are you doing?'

Stop talking to the King of Essence. He is praying for no more incidents today.

Wrath murmured that he was praying to the demon god so he could finally have his ice cream.

'Nothing should happen now.'

Since there wasn't a festival and it wasn't a holiday for the shop, there was nothing to worry about.

But something always happens whenever you are around!

'It only happens sometimes, not always.'

Raon shook his hand and checked the messages.

[You've destroyed the mental fortitude of an opponent far more powerful than yourself.]

[All stats have increased by 10.]

[The trait Backstab has increased in rank.]

He could hear Wrath's groan as he read the messages about the increase in his stats and trait.

Damn it…

Wrath must've been curious even though he pretended he wasn't. Irritation and anger could be found on his face.

Why did Backstab rank up?!

'Maybe because my words stabbed her in the back?'

Ugh…

Wrath fell speechless because he couldn't find anything to say.

'Seriously.'

Raon smiled and checked the next message.

[Title The Tongue that Mocks the World has been created.]

Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the title's name.

'The Tongue that Mocks the World? This doesn't sound right…'

Raon checked the description while thinking that the name was too shabby.

The Tongue that Mocks the World

This title is given to someone who defeated a more powerful opponent with eloquence alone.

Effect: Causes a small amount of mental confusion while talking to a more powerful opponent.

The title wasn't related to his might but the way it affected the opponent's mind.

It seemed to have a similar effect as mind attribute magic.

True!

Wrath immediately nodded.

You deserve this one at least! Three demon kings have been played by your tongue!

He even claimed that it should've been 'the Tongue that Mocks Dimensions' instead of the world.

Your tongue should be pulled out and praised as one of Devildom's relics! It will cause a huge ruckus in the entirety of Devildom once they learn that it turned three demon kings into your playthings!

Wrath's eyes sparkled as he asserted it would be a mythical artifact.

'Stop saying useless shit and decide on the ice cream. We are almost here—Huh?'

Raon stopped walking upon finding the bead ice cream shop. Inside the shop was dark, and no one seemed to be there.

N-no way?!

'Is it closed?'

Raon walked up to the shop and read the paper on the door.

[I'm taking a day off today because I need to insult this fucker.]

The story about the Thespian Emperor and the White Whale ignoring the hostages despite having seen them was written beneath the words in small letters.

'Ah…'

Raon's jaw dropped. The manager must've gone to the main gate along with the other merchants to criticize the Thespian Emperor.

'Is this really happening?'

He'd ordered Dorian and Krein to spread the rumors to accelerate the process, but he'd never expected such a result.

Wh-what the hell is this?!

Wrath ground his teeth violently while reading the paper.

Mustache! Why are you so involved in society?! Just keep selling the ice cream in your shop!

He slammed his chest in frustration.

You went to the festival, to the event, and now you are even criticizing her. Who do you think can sell ice cream if you do this?!

Wrath screamed that the world couldn't be doing that to him.

STG, this entire world is trying to mess with him!

'STG?'

Swear to God!

He shook his hand as if he were trying to grab the sky by its collar.

'Hey…'

Raon licked his lips while trying to avoid provoking him any further.

'I don't think he is coming back today.'

The Thespian Emperor had lots of work to do since she had to convince her followers and Zieghart's residents. The manager most likely wasn't going to return to open the shop.

Shut up! The King of Essence is spending the entire night here no matter what!

Wrath frowned, declaring that he wasn't going to move a single step until the door opened.

Raon contemplated what he should do and remembered the box that Chad had given him.

'How about eating this for now?'

Raon figured the dessert would be good enough to comfort Wrath if it was a macaron.

Hmm…

Wrath raised his head slightly. It must've piqued his interest.

'I knew it.'

Raon smiled faintly and unwrapped the box. Just like he'd expected, plump and creamy macarons were inside the box.

This is good stuff! It was sweet and delicious!

'Right? Let's be satisfied with this for today.'

Raon patted Wrath's back and picked up a macaron.

By the way, what flavor is it?

'Flavor?'

Raon tilted his head upon seeing the color of the macaron's cream.

'Let me check… Huh?'

Raon's jaw dropped upon reading the note stuck on the box.

[I heard the vice division leader likes this flavor, so I've prepared these Nadine bread-flavored macarons through a special order. I hope we keep getting along in the future.]

Chad's note stated that he'd prepared Nadine bread-flavored macarons through a special order.

This is driving him nuts!

Wrath closed his eyes.

He's seriously getting trust issues!