Ariel glared at Raon, her red lips trembling in anger.
âIs he seriously insane? I canât even talk sense with him.â
He kept cutting her off when she was just responding to his question, and it always ended with âYou shouldâve come earlierâ.
She felt like she was talking to a rock. It was driving her nuts because the conversation wasnât advancing at all.
âThereâs nothing I can do.â
Raon didnât have any intention of advancing the conversation. He was pressuring her while cutting off the flow of the conversation in such a boorish way, but it was frustrating because she had no way of resolving that issue.
ââŠIâm sorry for not being here earlier.â
She couldnât remember how many times sheâd apologized, but she had no choice but to do it again.
She looked at Glenn and asked him to please stop Raon with her gaze, but he looked entertained instead as he watched.
âHow many times do you think you apologized already? You wouldnât have needed to do it if youâd arrived earlier.â
Raon clicked his tongue at her pathetic behavior.
âEarlier again, earlier!â
She felt like she was going to have a trauma around the word âearlierâ at this rate.
âDamn it. This must have been prearranged.â
There was no way a monkey like him with just his handsome face going for him would do whatever he pleased if they hadnât previously planned for it. Late puberty was such bullshit.
Ariel bit her lip slightly.
âI still need to suppress my anger.â
She didnât have the might, authority, or the pretext to win against them. She had to suppress it even though she felt like her heart was about to burn with her anger.
âHaaâŠâ
She slowly caught her breath and cooled her head. She raised her head, convincing herself that she was an emotionless pebble.
âIâve prepared appropriate compensation for intruding into Zieghartâs domain and preemptively attacking twice, just like the Light Wind vice division leader has said. However, Iâd like to apologize before then.â
The Thespian Emperor straightened her shoulders and back before looking at Glenn.
âIt was all because of my incompetence that my subordinates caused trouble for you. Ariel from the White Whale would like to confess her sin to the Conqueror of the North.â
âEven that punk wonât be able to do anything about this.â
She said it was her fault right after talking about compensation without giving any excuses. Even Raon shouldnât find anything to nitpick.
However, Raon wasnât just an average punk. When she was about to relax, his voice could be heard from behind her.
âHaa! She wouldâve been having a nap by now with her subordinates in her home if sheâd arrived earlier to apologize. Donât you agree?â
âHuh? I-I guess?â
Raon furrowed his brow, and Rimmer reluctantly nodded.
âThat damn bastard is doing it again!â
Ariel clenched her fist inside her sleeve. She felt like the mental fortitude that sheâd barely managed to rebuild was crumbling into sand.
âHeâs not a simple punk. Heâs a goddamn punk!â
She faintly shook her head while thinking that Raon was the worst punk of all punks in the world.
She suppressed her emotions by biting her tongue and raising her eyes.
Whir!
She drew a circle into the air, and a subspace opened up with a large number of golden ingots, jewels, elixirs, and pieces of equipment pouring out of it.
âIâm fully aware that these assets arenât that useful to Zieghart. Please accept them as my and my subordinatesâ sincerity.â
She stated that she wanted them to accept the assets even if they didnât want to forgive her.
âHmmâŠâ
âIs she really giving all of them?â
âThe quantity is one thing, but the quality is extraordinary for all of them. The golden coins actually look like platinum coins.â
âThis is more than I expected.â
Even Zieghartâs executives widened their eyes, surprised by the quantity and quality of the Thespian Emperorâs offerings.
âYes, itâs excessive for an apology, both in terms of quantity and quality. However, this much is nothing.â
Her fame and honor were bound to ascend to a new height by the time she returned, which was incomparable to those goods.
Since it wasnât that hard to get those assets by selling information, she didnât mind giving them away at all.
âWow, how much would that cost? It mustâve been so hard to earn all of those, but she wouldâve only needed half the amount if she got here earlier. Donât you agree?â
âUgh, why is everyone so rich except for meâŠ?â
Raon made fun of her and Rimmerâs chin clattered.
âIgnore him. Just ignore. Thatâs not even a human.â
Arielâs neck was shivering. Her expression was about to be ruined because of Raon, but she put herself together and focused on Glenn.
âWe wonât enter Zieghartâs domain in the future, and we will ask for permission in advance if we haveââ
âAh, wait a moment.â
Raon shook his hand and interrupted her.
âI think that wonât be enough.â
âWhat?â
Ariel blinked.
âWhat is this goddamn punk trying to pull nowâŠ?â
It was a moment ago that heâd said, âHow much would that cost?â in surprise, but heâd suddenly changed his mind and it became not enough. He was seriously the kind of person she never wanted to deal with.
âIs the compensation not enough?â
âIndeed. Itâs slightly insufficient.â
âHmmâŠâ
People usually didnât say such a thing because they care about their position, fame, and age but it apparently didnât apply to that punk.
âHmm, as I said before, this is just an expression of our sincerityâŠâ
âAck!â
She tried to calmly explain it to him, but Raon suddenly frowned while covering his shoulder.
âThe part that the White Wolf Saber stabbed is hurting!â
He even broke out in a cold sweat while leaning forward. He looked like he was seriously in pain.
âYou bastardâŠâ
According to the information, Raon had easily defeated the White Wolf Saber. Since the blade hadnât even reached him, let alone stabbed him, he was definitely pretending.
âAnd the worst part is that itâs on the different side now.â
Raon was covering his right shoulder, but she clearly remembered that he was rubbing his left shoulder earlier when heâd said his shoulder hurt.
âBut it was your left shoulder earlierâŠâ
âBoth of them hurt!â
Raon covered both his shoulders and twisted his body while being drenched in a cold sweat.
âThis is seriously driving me nuts.â
He was blatantly messing with her, but she couldnât do anything about it, which was infuriating.
ââŠI understand.â
Ariel shook her head and opened the subspace once again. She even brought out the emergency assets that sheâd brought just in case.
âHaaâŠâ
She looked around while sighing in irritation, and Raon was turning his shoulder like he was never in pain.
The cold sweat that used to cover his forehead was also completely gone.
âIâm doing a bit better now. You wouldnât have needed to pay extra compensation if you came earlier. This must be karma, right?â
Raon bobbed his finger with a happy smile on his face.
âUghâŠâ
Ariel shivered, unable to withstand the anger welling up throughout her body.
âI need to endure. This isnât the right time for that.â
It was impossible for her to kill Raon, no matter what she tried. It was necessary to endure the humiliation and plan for the future.
âLord of Zieghart.â
Her anger was boiling like a volcano, but she suppressed it while looking at Glenn.
âIâm not hoping for your forgiveness just from this. We will make sure to repent what weâve done and will neverââ
When she was about to continue while facing Glennâs uninterested gaze, Raonâs voice could be heard from behind once again.
âI believe thereâs something else you need to mention.â
âDonât you think itâs enouââ
She angrily told him off and turned around, and red lightning sparked from Raonâs eyes.
âItâs not enough at all. Iâm only getting started now.â
A slightly stinging sensation was felt on her temple as she heard his boorish yet frightening manner of speech.
âYou didnât mention the most important part.â
* * *
* * *
âWh-what do you meanâŠ?â
Raon snorted while looking into the Thespian Emperorâs trembling eyes.
âWhat made us the angriest wasnât your intrusion nor the preemptive attack.â
âThen whatâŠ?â
âIt was the hostages.â
Raon slowly raised his eyebrow and met Arielâs eyes.
âYou were fully aware that the Black Towerâs boundary was maintained through the lives of the hostages, yet you did nothing about it. That isnât something those assets can wash away.â
Raon wrinkled his nose while looking at the mountain of goods the Thespian Emperor had taken out.
âWe didnât manage to predict that the Black Tower would be holding hostages.â
âThe Sickle of the Bloody Cloud was fully aware of that fact. Do you think it makes any sense that you didnât know when you were the one who gave him the order?â
Raon tilted his chin while telling her the information heâd gotten from torturing the Sickle of the Bloody Cloud.
âThatâs because the Sickle of the Bloody Cloudââ
âThe Five Divine Orders set their flags as neutral factions, declaring that they didnât belong to the Six Kings nor the Five Demons.â
Raon cut off into the Thespian Emperorâs excuse and continued his speech.
âIs a neutral faction supposed to do nothing about hostages? Innocent people were turning into a pool of blood as they perished, but you didnât do anything about it just so you could gain some information. Iâm really amazed by your actions.â
Raon coldly sneered at her while extending his words.
âThe only order I gave to the Sickle of the Bloody Cloud was to gather information about Zieghart and the Black Tower.â
The Thespian Emperor shook her head, trying to deny the claim. She wasnât actually lying, but there was another order.
âWe really were not aware that the Black Tower was holding people hostage.â
She sighed, saying that she wouldnât have made that decision if she was aware of the hostages.
âNo, thatâs not all there was.â
Raon shook his hand and took a step towards her.
âYou also ordered the Sickle of the Bloody Cloud to not get out of his hiding place no matter what happened.â
âHmmâŠâ
The Thespian Emperorâs eyes were slightly curved.
âI think thatâs a really strange order. No matter what? Isnât the only reason you would give such an order because you were aware that there was serious trouble going on?â
âThe Black Towerâs demonized humans are unpredictable. I just wanted my subordinates to be safe andââ
âIn that case, shouldnât you have ordered them to never clash against the Black Tower instead of never coming out from their hiding spot? That wouldâve worked better, I think.â
Raon smiled like a snake.
âIf that was the order, then when they encounter the Black Towerâs demonized humansââ
âAah, it actually doesnât really matter what the order was.â
Raon interrupted the Thespian Emperor as she tried to give more excuses. She mustâve had a reasonable excuse since she wouldâve prepared many responses on her way to Zieghart. However, there was no reason to listen to her.
âBecause in the end, the White Whale simply watched and did nothing about the innocent people as they died.â
âHmm, I have no excuse for that. But the Sickle of the Bloody Cloudââ
The Thespian Emperor admitted it and lowered her head.
âAh, you admitted it. Iâm so relieved.â
âWhat?â
âBecause the hostages happened to hear about this.â
Raon smiled faintly.
âWhat do you meanâŠ?â
âI was explaining what had happened to the hostages and accidentally told them that the White Whale had been watching but did nothing to help them. Is that fine?â
âHmm, itâs okay since it was our mistake.â
Ariel nodded her head.
âItâs okay. I can still make up for it.â
Sheâd heard that all the hostages were inside Zieghart. She could just give them some sticks and carrots to prevent the rumor from spreading.
âIâd like to personally meet them to ask for forgiveness. Can you give me a chance?â
âAh, itâs unfortunately impossible.â
Raon slowly shook his head.
âBecause theyâve already left our house.â
âWhat?â
Her eyes widened upon hearing that the hostages had left.
âWh-whenâŠ?â
âI let them leave when Lady Ariel arrived here. They probably met the people that youâve been playing captain with by now.â
âAhâŠâ
Ariel swallowed nervously while looking at Raonâs serious eyes.
âWas this his goal all along?â
She couldnât make an order to take care of the hostages because she couldnât get out of the audience chamber.
There were some warriors from the White Whale among the followers, but they shouldnât be able to make any move since Zieghart was right in front of them.
âThis punkâŠâ
If the rumors about the White Whale ignoring the hostages spread, their fame and honor could drop even lower than before instead of increasing.
The reason she came to Zieghart was completely gone.
âDamn itâŠâ
She couldnât manage her expression because sheâd never predicted that situation. She furrowed her brow before she knew it.
âThatâs why Iâd like to say this.â
Raon narrowed his eyes while touching the back of his neck.
âSince Iâm such a responsible person, Iâm planning to keep checking on them until they return home safely. I think Iâll be suspicious of the White Whale before anyone else if they get injured or disappear on the way. Do you agree with that?â
What he said was something that normal people wouldnât say out of respect for the other party.
It was a threat. An oppression to prevent them from harming the hostages.
The White Whale was going to be forced to protect the hostages instead of harming them against their will.
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor remained silent and simply glared at Raon with her flaming red eyes.
Raon felt great about it because it was a similar method to the way the Thespian Emperor was trying to take advantage of Zieghart.
âHmmâŠâ
Glennâs lips were slightly raised, implying that he was also satisfied with it.
âThatâs never going to happenââ
âIâm relieved to hear that.â
Raon snickered and nodded.
âWell, I donât actually need your help.â
Heâd contacted the Black Market in advance and made two requests. The first was the protection of the hostages, and the second was to spread the story of the hostages throughout the continent.
The fame and honor that she was trying to obtain mustâve disappeared into the darkness of the abyss.
âWas your name Ariel?â
Ariel raised her gaze upon hearing Glennâs call. She was still somehow maintaining her expression despite the situation, and it showed that her mind was as polished as her might.
âYes.â
âThis is the last time Iâll overlook the matter. If you try to play your trivial tricks once again, Iâll erase the name of the White Whale from the face of the continent.â
ââŠIâll keep that in mind.â
A frightening light appeared in the Thespian Emperorâs eyes. She seemed to have no intention of hiding her emotions anymore since the truth was already revealed as she nodded with a spiteful gaze.
âAndâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor took out a white envelope from her clothes and handed it over.
âThere will be a festival next year to celebrate the foundation of the Five Divine Orderâs groups. Please join us if you can.â
âIâll consider it.â
Glenn nodded, and the letter floated from the Thespian Emperorâs hand like a cloud and fell on the throneâs armrest.
âRoenn.â
âYes.â
Roenn went down from the platform and stepped up next to the Thespian Emperor.
âIâll guide you to the others.â
âYes, please.â
The Thespian Emperor nodded and turned around to follow Roenn.
She glared at Raon while walking slowly. Her eyes were like hellfire, burning with anger and malice.
Raon swallowed nervously while meeting her gaze.
âWhat an amazing threat.â
He was breaking out in cold sweat even though she wasnât using any aura or pressure. She was an extremely powerful warrior. He wouldnât even be standing if they were in any other place.
âHowever⊠This is my home.â
Moreover, the master of the house had allowed him to do whatever he wanted, and that was why he could do even worse.
âLady Ariel.â
He called her name with a faint smile on his face, and the Thespian Emperor stopped walking.
âDo you want new shoes?â
âShoes? What do you meanâŠ?â
âSince you look like you have a lot to think about, youâll need to walk on your way back, too. Wonât you need new shoes so you can play captain on your back, just like when you came here?â
He was twisting the words that sheâd used to justify her late visit.
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor bared her teeth. Her eyes curved like a crescent moon, her malice intensifying even further than before.
âKuhahaha!â
Rimmer couldnât hold it back anymore and started to laugh while covering his stomach.
âYou really are a madman!â
He giggled, saying that heâd never seen anyone crazier than himself.
âPlease stay quiet. Where do you think we are?â
âAh, hmm.â
Rimmer awkwardly nodded.
âWait a moment! This is so strange.â
He wanted to argue that Raon wasnât the one to say that to him since heâd been making a complete mess all along, but he suppressed his urge because he was afraid of Glenn.
âIâm planning to do so.â
The Thespian Emperor nodded with a smile. Of course, it was a frightening smile that was making their hair stand on end.
âThis is the perfect timing.â
Raon clenched his fist. It was the best time to ask that question since her composure was completely gone.
âThe dragon helmet.â
The Thespian Emperor suddenly stopped walking as she heard.
âI heard youâve met a person wearing the dragon helmet.â
Raon continued while meeting her frightening eyes.
âHow are you related to Eden?â