The Thespian Emperorâs eyes became distorted, as if they were being crushed by a hammer. Her trembling lips slightly parted and a quiet voice came out from her.
âHow do you knââ
She quickly realized her mistake and shut her mouth, but Raon didnât miss that instant.
âSo it was true.â
Raon clenched his fist with a cold smile on his face.
âIt worked.â
She hadnât finished talking, but it was enough of an answer. The testimony of her meeting with someone wearing a dragon helmet was true.
âIs this the result of acting like a punk?â
It was worth getting on her nerves since she entered the audience chamber after seeing her indomitable spirit being destroyed for a moment.
âTell us now, whatâs your relationship with Eden?â
The executives reacted to his question instead of the Thespian Emperor.
Rumble!
The palace masters and the division leaders silently drew their swords and surrounded the Thespian Emperor. They created a current similar to a sword formation without even talking to each other and started pressuring her.
âAre you a demon from Eden?â
âDonât move.â
âHow dare you come to Zieghart with something fishy behind you?â
That was from Karoon, Denier, and Balder. The three palace masters placed their swords on the Thespian Emperorâs neck with frightening and hostile pressures.
Raon had been thinking that Karoon and Balder were nothing but a hindrance, but they were kind of dependable in that situation.
Even they seemed to prioritize the house above anything else.
Whir!
The same went for the division leaders. They blocked the Thespian Emperorâs retreat to assist the palace masters and were pointing their swords at her.
Rumble!
She didnât lower herself even though all of the palace masters and division leadersâ pressures were weighing upon her.
An oppressive energy surged like a tide from under her feet.
âYouâre leaving me with no out.â
She rolled her lips into a smile. It was a look of the one whoâd transcended their emotions. She mustâve calmed herself down and pulled herself together in that short period of time.
âYou should speak carefully.â
The Thespian Emperor looked at the platform upon hearing Glennâs frightening voice.
âBecause I cannot let you go if you are related to Eden.â
âHmmâŠâ
Her eyes revealed her nervousness for the first time.
âI have no intention of fighting here.â
The Thespian Emperor slowly raised her hands and shook her head. A cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
âI admit that Iâve met a man wearing a dragon helmet before.â
She calmly closed her eyes.
âHowever, we arenât related in any way. He was just a client whoâd visited the White Whale to buy information.â
âA client?â
âEveryone here should be well aware of it, but the White Whale trades both the power and information.â
The executives gave her a small nod. All of them seemed to be aware of that fact.
âHe visited me personally to buy information, and I sold him the information he wanted. Our relationship was nothing but that of a merchant and their client.â
The Thespian Emperor grabbed her sleeve, saying that she hadnât seen that man again after selling that information.
âWhat does that helmet look like?â
Glenn asked, his gaze frightening.
âHmmâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor let out a small groan upon hearing his question.
âSo the lord of Zieghart knows about the Heavenly Demon.â
She slowly nodded.
âHeavenly Demon?â
âWhat is the Heavenly Demon?â
âHmmâŠâ
The division leaders furrowed their brows. They didnât seem to know about the Heavenly Demon.
ââŠâŠâ
However, the three palace masters seemed to know about it, and they released even stronger pressures at the Thespian Emperor.
âHeavenly DemonâŠâ
Raon tilted his head and the Thespian Emperor continued.
âEdenâs objective is restoration. They want to return to ancient times. Do you know what time exactly that is?â
The Thespian Emperor looked at Raon. She continued with a smile that didnât seem right for some reason.
âItâs when the world used to be a hell with endless wars between humans and monsters. It was the time when the demonic dragon tried to devour the world. Itâs also when Zieghartâs first head became famous.â
âDemonic dragonâŠâ
Raon swallowed nervously.
âIâve heard about it before.â
There was a legend about the worst and strongest demonic dragon that even devoured other dragons, and it supposedly tried to destroy the entire human realm.
Even the demons were rampaging around back then, and peopleâs lives were a living hell. The story mustâve been true according to what sheâd said.
âEdenâs ultimate goal is to revive that demonic dragon. Some of the people here should be already aware of that fact, and the others will find out in the future.â
The Thespian Emperor nodded while saying that it wasnât a cheap piece of information.
âThat man wearing the demonic dragonâs helmet is called the Heavenly Dragon by Eden. They want him to become the demonic dragon one day and paint the sky with darkness. He hasnât shown himself in the world yet, but you should know about him, lord of Zieghart.â
She smiled at Glenn.
âI see.â
Raonâs lips trembled as he listened to the Thespian Emperor.
âSo the Heavenly Demon was the other leader of Eden.â
There were many rumors about Eden having another leader other than the Fallen, and they mustâve been the Heavenly Demon.
âThe dragon helmet worn by the Heavenly Demon has red scales, black horns, and demonic eyes, with the sclera and iris being reversed. HoweverâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor licked her dry lips.
âThe man with the dragon helmet who came to see me was different from that. The scales were silver and the horns were blue. The helmetâs appearance was also different from the demonic dragonâs characteristics.â
She shook her head, saying that even she wasnât aware of his identity.
âWhat information did he buy?â
Glenn quietly stared into her eyes. He seemed to be trying to read her intentions.
âDespite my unsightly behavior today, Iâm still a merchant who deals with information. I canât tell others about what information my clients buy.â
The Thespian Emperor straightened her spine. Her confidence spread around her, just like when she first made her entrance.
âOne thing I can say for sure is that the information he bought wasnât related to the Six Kings and the Five Demons.â
The Thespian Emperor guaranteed that it wasnât anything that could be harmful to Zieghart.
âThat womanâŠâ
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the Thespian Emperor.
âSheâs even more amazing than Iâd thought.â
He was surprised at how well she was responding in such a pressing situation. Raon figured he would need to change how much danger she posed in his mind.
âAnd why should I believe you?â
Glenn looked down on the Thespian Emperor. His red eyes were wrapped in cold dignity.
âThere is no reason to. However, I swear on my and the White Whaleâs name that it is not a lie.â
The Thespian Emperor took out a white tablet from her clothes. The mythical creature, the White Whale that supposedly cruised around the ocean and sky, was engraved on the round bit of candidium.
âIf what I said is revealed to be false in the future, you may bring that tablet forward and cut my throat.â
She narrowed her eyes, saying that she wasnât just trying to get out of the predicament.
âShe doesnât seem to be lyingâŠâ
Raon swallowed nervously while looking at the tablet she was handing out.
âI wonder whatâs going to happen next?â
If Glenn had information about another dragon helmet other than the Heavenly Demon, the Thespian Emperor should be able to safely leave Zieghart. But if he didnât, a fight between them was going to break out.
âRegardless of the case, attacking her right now isnât too good for us.â
Everything was going so well with the people who were held hostages by the Black Tower starting to spread the rumors about the White Whaleâs evil deeds. However, it was all going to be in vain if the Thespian Emperor was injured or killed.
It wasnât the right time to attack her.
* * *
* * *
Whir.
Just as Raon was thinking about how he should react to each scenario, the White Whale tablet that the Thespian Emperor had been holding floated into the air and entered Glennâs grasp.
âIâll believe you for now. HoweverâŠâ
The tablet was turned into ash in an instant and scattered into the air from Glennâs hand.
The display of power that could destroy the candidium in an instant was truly beyond human limits.
âRegardless of this tablet, Iâll erase the White Whaleâs name from the face of this continent if you are proven to be lying.â
ââŠIâll bear that in mind.â
The Thespian Emperor nodded with trembling shoulders. She seemed to be frightened by Glennâs overwhelming pressure.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon rubbed the back of his hand while watching Glennâs serious eyes.
âDoes this mean that thereâs another dragon helmet other than the Heavenly Demon?â
The helmet was silver and the horns were blue. Raon had a feeling that heâd seen that combination before.
âSheathe your swords.â
The palace masters and the division leaders sheathed their swords and stepped back upon hearing his order.
âHaaâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor sighed faintly and shook her sleeve. Her clothes were completely drenched, showing that the situation was nervous even for her.
âIâll guide you out.â
Roenn walked up to the Thespian Emperor and smiled as if the tension had never happened.
âLight Wind vice division leader.â
The Thespian Emperor looked at Raon instead of following Roenn.
âIt was my loss this time. I was thoroughly defeated.â
Her eyes looked completely dry, but her fervor was ignited like dying embers.
âIâm looking forward to our next encounter.â
âI donât really want to see you again, though.â
Raon shrugged his shoulders, saying that he wasnât interested in her.
âWait a moment.â
Raon opened his hand when the Thespian Emperor was about to leave with a furrowed brow.
âYou should visit the building on the right after leaving the lordâs manor.â
âThe building on the right?â
âYes. You should get new shoes before leaving. They should provide you with them if you ask about them there.â
Raon pointed at the Thespian Emperorâs shoes with a cheerful smile. According to his experience, it was better to continue until the very end once he decided to provoke someone.
Creak.
The Thespian Emperorâs face was red from the boiling rage that sheâd barely managed to suppress and ground her teeth before leaving the audience chamber.
Thud.
The audience chamber remained silent despite the huge noise of the closing iron door.
âHmmâŠâ
âErrâŠâ
The palace masters and the division leaders dropped their jaws, revealing their surprise at how Raon one-sidedly prevailed against the Thespian Emperor.
âHmmâŠâ
âIt looks like everything went well somehow.â
âI-indeed.â
âIt went pretty well.â
âI didnât expect this to happen, though.â
The executives nodded, satisfied with the Thespian Emperorâs defeat. Even Balder was smiling among them.
Raon looked at Wrath under the surprised and commending gazes.
He was about to thank him for keeping quiet, but Wrath was actively moving his hand with his back against Raon.
âWhat are you doing?â
Heâs taking notes.
He was indeed writing something on his round hand.
âWhat are you writing?â
Itâs about the method you used to make fun of other humans. It was insanely effective, to the point where even the King of Essence had to admit it. GET. NEW. SHOES.
He was writing down the words down one letter at a time while repeating what Raon had just told the Thespian Emperor.
COME FASTER. Telling them to come faster will never fail to make them angry.
âThatâs not true, thoughâŠâ
It could only provoke the opponent because it was used in an appropriate situation. Just randomly saying that wouldâve been completely meaningless.
âThatâs not how you use that lineâŠâ
Shut up, the King of Essence is studying. Heâs going to overcome human limits just like you!
Wrath shook his hand, telling Raon to stop talking to him.
âBut you arenât human to begin withâŠâ
Raon shook his head, and Rimmer came up next to him.
âWhat the hell are you? Where did you even learn to do something like that?â
âWho else? I have the perfect example of an immature adult right next to me.â
Raon pointed at Rimmer.
âMe? I am not as crazy as you! You were literally a goddamn punk just now!â
âNo, I wasnât any worse than you, division leader.â
Raon shook his head in denial.
âHmm, I guess it doesnât matter either way since thatâs not the important part right now.â
Rimmer chuckled and waved his hand at Glenn.
âMy lord!â
He grinned while pointing at the mountain of treasures that the Thespian Emperor had left behind.
âThe additional goods we managed to get thanks to Raon should go to him, right?â
Glennâs lips twitched upon hearing it.
âDivision leader, IâŠâ
Raon was about to shake his hand and tell him that he didnât need it when messages appeared in front of his eyes.
* * *
Ariel left the lordâs manor after Roenn, and her subordinatesâincluding the White Wolf Saber and the Sickle of the Bloody Cloudâwere waiting for her.
Their outfits were similar to before, but their eyes were devoid of life, like those of an old lion.
âThose motherfuckersâŠâ
She wanted to smash their heads in because they had leaked information to Raon, but she had to suppress the urge because they were still in Zieghart.
âB-boss.â
âIâm sorry!â
The White Wolf Saber and the Sickle of the Bloody Cloud bowed to Ariel and begged for forgiveness upon seeing the frightening look in her eyes.
âGet up. We shouldnât discuss that here.â
âHuh?â
Ariel shook her hand and made them stand back up, and the White Wolf Saberâs jaw dropped.
âBoss, thereâs blood on your mouthâŠâ
She touched her lips while listening to him. Her lip was covered in blood, which was flowing from her mouth.
âIâm not bleeding from the mouth. Itâs an internal injury.â
Sheâd gotten an internal injury because she was exposed to real pressures under a huge mental shock. It wasnât an exaggeration to say that Raon had inflicted that wound on her.
âDamn it.â
It wasnât anything serious, but she was still irritated because it required some recuperation.
Ariel shook her hand at the Sickle of the Bloody Cloud and the White Wolf Saber.
âFollow me, since we need to return right now. Just tell them that you donât know anything.â
She had to act as fast as possible in order to stop the rumors from the people that Raon had released. There was no time to talk.
She was heading towards Zieghartâs main gate, and the swordsmen sheâd seen when she entered were still standing there with commoners who hadnât learned any martial arts behind them.
âYou didnât save the hostages? What were you even thinking?â
âYou are no different from the Five Demons at that point!â
âRename yourselves to the Five Divine Demons!â
âThespian Emperor? Hero? Bullshit!â
The Zieghart residents behind the swordsmen were blaming them since they had already heard the rumor about the Thespian Emperor and the White Whale.
The Thespian Emperor bit her lip and quickly walked towards the main gate.
âAre you leaving already?â
The external commander, Illiune, was standing in front of the gate, and he waved his hand with a bright expression on his faceâa contrast to their first encounter.
âI am. Please open the gate.â
âSure.â
He shook his hand with a satisfied expression, and the gate slowly opened.
âHaaâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor sighed. As soon as she left the gate, the people whoâd followed her until Zieghart came running at her and blocked her path.
âThespian Emperor!â
âWhatâs the meaning behind this?!â
âThey said you did nothing when people were taken away by the demonized humans!â
âTell me itâs not true!â
Her followers gathered their hands, praying for her to deny the statement. Zieghartâs residents, whoâd been staying behind her, also came outside and started to criticize her.
âI wish you a good journey.â
She turned around upon hearing a frivolous voice, and Illiune was grinning at her from above the walls.
âUghâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor forced herself to swallow the blood overflowing from her throat and clenched her teeth.
âRaon Zieghart, you can have this round. But next timeâŠâ