As soon as Raon entered the room he was guided to, he started a simple interrogation of the two instigators.
Their names were Allen and Kopel. They mustâve been quite dedicated since they didnât mention the Thespian Emperorâs name, but it didnât matter.
Allenâs reaction in front of the gate had already made it clear that the Thespian Emperor was behind that childish act.
However, he couldnât gain anything from complaining about the instigators if she kept denying it until the end.
Considering the Thespian Emperorâs reasonable mentality, she shouldnât think that Raon would visit her immediately.
âThatâs why Iâm visiting her.â
The reason he immediately went to the Thespian Emperor without even unpacking his baggage in his room was to attack the gap in her misconception.
âBecause Iâm not trying to get any benefits nor honor from this.â
He already had more than enough money and fame. He just wanted to get on the Thespian Emperorâs nerves.
SeriouslyâŠ
Wrath furrowed his brow with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
What the hell are you?
âWhat?â
How did you even think of something like that? This isnât something that can be learned just from taking notes!
Wrath pulled his cotton candy hair while saying that it was a problem-solving question instead of a question of memorization.
âThatâs right.â
Wrath was correct. The reason he could pierce the gap in her mentality wasnât because he was extremely smart but because of the experience from his previous life.
It was the result of bloodshed as he continuously analyzed people to kill them.
âYouâd better tell her to come out quickly.â
Raon swallowed the smile that was about to appear and shook his hand towards the warrior standing in front of the Thespian Emperorâs mansion.
âBecause Iâm rather impatient.â
The warrior guarding the Thespian Emperorâs mansion swallowed nervously upon feeling the frightening pressure and irritated voice coming from him.
âOur master mustâve gotten the message. Please wait a bit longer.â
The warrior clenched his spear and forced himself to maintain his composure. His unshakable eyes revealed his loyalty, which was even more powerful than his might.
âHaah?â
Martha tilted her chin and walked up to the warrior.
âA motherfucker picked a fight with us as soon as we entered this shitty city, and he is affiliated with you. Tell me one reason why we have to wait!â
The strain on her fingers looked like she was about to punch him.
âTh-there must be a misunderstanding. We should get the message soon, so please wait a little.â
The warrior didnât move away despite facing Marthaâs furious pressure. He stayed on the spot even though he broke out in a cold sweat.
âKill?â
Runaan quietly came up next to him and grabbed the hilt of her cherished sword, Snow Flower.
ââŠNo, save it for later.â
Raon quickly shook his head. He couldnât understand why, but Runaanâs personality had become more than twice as impatient as before after the start of the mission.
Even someone like you can be ignorant in this aspect.
âWhat?â
Itâs because you held a party with ice cream.
âBut that was a long time ago.â
It doesnât matter. The fact that you held the party is the important part. People like us remember the gratitude for ice cream.
Wrath was looking at Runaan warmly while saying that she was a perfect subordinate for him.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon looked at Runaan while thinking about it. Her eyes did seem clearer than before.
âJust because of ice cream? Itâs mind-blowing how simple that is.â
While Raon was shaking his hand, the mansionâs door was opened and a middle-aged man came out. His hair was neatly trimmed back just like Roenn.
âMy name is McCain, Lady Arielâs servant. What brings you here?â
The middle-aged man introduced himself as McCain and bowed carefully.
âI came to talk because your Master Ariel seems to have caused some trouble.â
âWhat kind of trouble are you talking about?â
McCain asked with serious eyes, pretending he didnât know anything about it.
âAre you sure I should say it here? Iâm fine with it, but there are lots of people watching.â
Raon lifted his hands and curved his lips into a smile.
ââŠâŠâ
McCain furrowed his brow slightly and stepped aside past the door.
âPlease enter.â
âFollow me, Dorian. And no one else.â
Raon left the team leaders behind and entered the mansion with Dorian.
The inside of the mansion was unexpectedly simple. There were no flashy decorations or antiques, which made it look like the annex buildingâs interior.
He went up to the highest floor by following the guide, and he could see a door made from cedar. It wasnât an expensive material, but it was neatly maintained.
Knock knock.
McCain quietly walked up to the door and knocked on it, and the Thespian Emperorâs voice could be heard from inside.
âPlease come in.â
The door was automatically opened, and McCain gestured at them to enter with his hands.
Raon entered the Thespian Emperorâs office where sunlight was shining down faintly.
The room wasnât luxurious at all, as an extension of the mansionâs atmosphere. The objects were hand-stained, and the strict pressure felt like it was a soldierâs office.
âI was a bit surprised when I heard of your visit, Sir Raon.â
The Thespian Emperor sitting on the sofa slowly stood up with a smile.
âDidnât you say that you didnât want to see me ever again?â
âIâm just a powerless individual. I have to obey orders.â
Raon walked up to the Thespian Emperor and nodded. He sat on the opposite side of her with a twisted smile on his face.
Despite the crude greeting from someone far younger than her, the Thespian Emperorâs expression didnât change. Her willpower was as sturdy as always.
âIâm glad to see you again, but you couldâve taken a rest from the fatigue of your journey before coming here. How polite of you.â
The Thespian Emperor smiled faintly while pouring a red-colored tea into the teacup placed on the table.
âItâs because Iâm not here for a pleasant greeting.â
Raon responded to the Thespian Emperorâs sarcastic remark foolishly on purpose and shook his hand.
âAh, is it about what happened at the entrance? I apologize for that. However, itâs difficult to manage the spectators, even for meâŠâ
She shook her head, telling him that she was already aware of it from a report.
Raon narrowed his eyes while listening to the Thespian Emperorâs composed voice.
âShe really isnât an easy opponent.â
Raon wouldâve lowered his consideration for her if sheâd feigned ignorance, but she pretended to be unrelated despite having heard the news.
Her unsettled eyes almost looked like she was really telling the truth.
âI donât think thatâs possible though.â
Raon licked his lips while tapping the table with his index finger.
âAfter all, the men I caught mentioned your name, Lady Ariel.â
âWhat do you mean by that?â
The Thespian Emperorâs eyes widened in surprise. Raon thought once again that her composure was the most fearsome part about her, rather than her might or her ability to read heavenâs flow.
âThey said that they were ordered to do it by you, Lady Ariel. You asked them to slowly get on my nerves once I reached the entrance.â
Raon focused on the Thespian Emperorâs expressions while stating the line heâd prepared. Her eyes wavered faintly, even if it only lasted for a short moment.
âNo, Iâm not related to them.â
The Thespian Emperor firmly shook her head.
âThereâs no way I would disgrace myself in front of my guests from Zieghart.â
âI also donât want to believe that Lady Ariel, who is praised as the Thespian Emperor by the people, would do something dirty and sloppy like that. However, the perpetrators said it themselves.â
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor remained silent. Her sharp gaze seemed to be trying to figure out whether it was true or not.
Raon met her eyes and casually drank his tea.
âShe seems to be trying to figure me out.â
Raon had been hiding his expression for dozens of years, ever since his previous life.
Even if she could read heavenâs flow and was extremely smart, it was impossible to read his thoughts.
âThe instigators are called Allen and Kopel. Youâve heard those names before, havenât you?â
âIâve never heard of them.â
The Thespian Emperor closed her eyes and shook her head.
âSir Raon.â
She lifted her eyelids and quietly spoke.
âIâm sorry, but this is extremely rude of you. What are you going to do if they are trying to take advantage of my name?â
âI donât know about that. Iâm simply here because they specifically mentioned your name, Lady Ariel.â
âThatâs why Iâm telling you that itâs not true. Visiting me like this and acting rude isââ
âWell, it might be true. Moreover, itâs the White Whale that was rude to me by not even managing the crowd around the entrance. Are you actually threatening me now?â
* * *
* * *
Raonâs back parted from the sofa, and he put his hands together.
âHaa, that was certainly our fault. However, we arenât relatedââ
âOh, so you admitted your mistake. So, you were related, right?â
âThatâs not what I meant! I admitted the mistake about the crowdââ
âAh, so about hiding them among the crowd and ordering them to get on my nerves, right?â
Raon cut her off and kept saying stupid shit.
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperorâs hand holding the teacup started to tremble. Her expression was still as peaceful as before, but she was starting to become enraged.
Argh!
Wrathâs fist was trembling violently.
Even the King of Essence is angry at this! This is infuriating!
He pounded his chest, saying that he was getting upset instead.
âLet me tell you again. Those people who insulted you are not related to me whatsoever.â
The Thespian Emperor shook her head, saying that sheâd never ordered them to act out. Considering how she asserted the fact, she mustâve been confident that Raon wouldnât be able to find any connection between them.
âThatâs to be expected.â
Raon knew that much the moment heâd decided to come to the mansion.
Then why are you even here?
âWhat else? Iâm just here to make her angry.â
âŠIt was a great success.
Wrath awkwardly nodded.
Her face looks fine, but sheâs boiling with anger right now.
He pointed at the Thespian Emperor and murmured that the objective was already achieved.
It was definitely true since the wrath specialist was guaranteeing it.
âWhat you are doing right now can bite you in the futââ
âAah! I donât know about complicated stuff like that. What Iâm telling you is that they stated your name, Lady Ariel! Allen and Kopel said it!â
Raon consistently repeated the exact same thing, to the point where he sounded like an idiot.
âIn that case, can I have a meeting with them?â
âThatâs a no.â
Raon energetically shook his head, as if he were making fun of her.
âI canât give my captives to the enemy. You might just kill them!â
âThatâs never going to happen.â
âYou should never say never. I also thought that the Thespian Emperor would never order them to get on my nerves.â
âUghâŠâ
Veins started to bulge slightly on the Thespian Emperorâs forehead. Her composure was wavering.
âThen what do you want?â
âIâm not sure.â
Raon rubbed his thumb with his index finger.
âHaaâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor closed her eyes and sighed.
âHow much do you want?â
âDid you just ask me how much I want? Are you actually trying to nullify this matter by paying me?â
Raon covered his mouth while jumping up to feign surprise.
âNo, you just rubbed your fingers! That clearly implies that you want the monââ
âI was just scratching it because I was bitten by a mosquito. What are you even talking about?â
âThere are no mosquitos in winter!â
âThey exist in Zieghart. They are very tenacious.â
He furrowed his brow while blowing at his finger, which was perfectly fine.
âUghâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor scratched the table with her finger.
âWhat the hell is this guyâŠ?â
After sheâd reached her realm, sheâd become capable of seeing what people wanted from the smallest conversation.
She could even figure out the emotions of warriors or magicians more powerful than her, or even the king of a country or a head of house. However, what the punk in front of her was thinking was completely incomprehensible to her.
âNo, heâs definitely not a punk.â
Raon mustâve been only acting like a punk, and his brain shouldâve been running nonstop.
He clearly had an objective behind his visit, but she couldnât figure it out at all.
âHe canât pressure me with the testimony from Allen and Kopel. It wonât ruin my reputation either. Itâs not like he wants money from me, so what could beâŠ?â
She looked into his eyes, talked to him, and observed his behavior, but she couldnât read what he wanted at all.
The man called Raon Zieghart was the most peculiar person sheâd ever seen.
Raon smiled faintly while looking at the Thespian Emperor, who was biting her lip slightly.
âShe must be thinking about why Iâm doing this.â
She seemed to be going nuts because she couldnât figure out why he was being so unreasonable like that.
âOf course she canât figure it out. I have no objective.â
He had no intention of humiliating the Thespian Emperor, extorting money from her, or getting her to apologize.
He was just messing with her. That was his only purpose, and that was why she couldnât guess his objective.
âNow that I think about it, I do have an objective. Sheâs going to get enraged every time she sees me in the future.â
Putting mental pressure on her was bound to help him in the future. That was actually an extremely important aspect.
Raon frowned while tapping on the table.
âSo, what are you going to do about this? They couldâve started attacking us, and I might have been fine, but some of our members couldâve been injured!â
âAbout the safety issues, Iâd like to apologizeââ
âItâs not just a safety issue! They mentioned your name, Lady Ariel!â
âIâm telling you, they arenât relatedââ
âHah, I donât care. I wonât leave until you apologize.â
âHaaâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor exhaled roughly. Gray steam was coming out from her mouth.
âBut I canât apologize for something that I havenât done.â
âBut they said you did.â
âIâm not related to it.â
âHah⊠In that case, Iâm not leaving.â
Raon murmured âLetâs see who winsâ and buried his back deep into the sofa.
The Thespian Emperor closed her eyes tightly before opening them again.
âAlright, Iâll apologize.â
She nodded. She seemed to be trying to quickly end this matter.
âAbout what?â
ââŠâŠâ
The Thespian Emperor closed her eyes tightly upon hearing his cheerful response.
âBut you asked me to apologize, Sir Raon.â
âYou werenât being sincere. And you didnât mention what mistake you made.â
âUghâŠâ
The Thespian Emperorâs cheeks turned red. She seemed to be contemplating whether she should kill him or not.
âHieehâŠâ
Raonâs smile seemed to be telling her to try it if she could, but Dorian, who was standing behind him, turned pale.
Devildom is the survival of the fittest, butâŠ
Wrathâs head was trembling in fear.
Is the human realm the survival of the lunatics?
* * *
Raon finally left the Thespian Emperorâs office in the evening. They obviously didnât manage to come to a consensus, but their expressions were the complete opposite.
The Thespian Emperorâs darkened face looked like she was completely exhausted while Raon looked even more energetic than before, as if heâd gotten a deep sleep.
âRaon.â
âWhat took you so long?!â
Runaan and Martha came running towards him. They quickly examined Raonâs body to see if anything bad had happened to him.
âThe talk was just extended.â
Raon casually shook his hand and told them that nothing special had happened.
âThank you for waiting. Letâs go back.â
He simply shook his hand and went towards the room that he had previously been guided to.
âWhat even took you so long?â
Martha came up next to him and asked with a frown.
âI acted like a punk.â
âLike you usually do?â
She smiled, saying that he was the perfect punk.
âBut Martha is more of a punk than him.â
Runaan stared blankly at Martha.
âWhy me?!â
âBecause you are Miss Rakshasa.â
âHey!â
Martha leaped like lightning, and Runaan ran away by jumping like a rabbit.
âHaa, I really thought I was going to die.â
Dorian shook his head.
âWhy are you so afraid? They canât attack us anyway.â
âI know, but stillâŠâ
His lips trembled as he said that he was extremely terrified by the Thespian Emperorâs expression, which looked like she was wearing a mask.
âAnyway, I donât want to do this ever again. I think I lost some of my lifespan.â
âYou wonât have to for a while.â
âWhat are you planning to do now?â
âSince I managed to crack the Thespian Emperorâs mindâŠâ
Raon furtively looked back and continued.
âItâs time to rake in some money.â
âMoney?â
âYes. Letâs rest for today and start tomorrow.â
Raon smiled faintly and entered a small garden in front of the lodging. There was everything they needed inside the vast lodging, but the location wasnât too good since it was at a corner of the city.
âHuh?â
âHeâs back!â
âVice division leader!â
âWhy are you so late? We couldnât eat dinner!â
Burren and the swordsmen gathered at a small training ground next to the garden and waved their hands towards him.
âYou shouldâve eaten without me.â
Raon waved his hand in apology and noticed a red-haired woman next to Yua. She wasnât from the Light Wind division, but her back was familiar.
âGasp!â
The woman turned around at the speed of light and screamed while covering her cheeks.
âGoddamn handsome!â