N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 625
Aris smiled warmly, waving the document in her hand as if she genuinely wanted Raon to choose a mission.
"Ugh..."
Raon looked at the fluttering documents and pressed his lips together.
‘This is embarrassing...’
He hadn't felt this embarrassed since he pretended to be a baby for Sylvia. His face was hot. If he looked in the mirror, his cheeks would definitely be flushed red.
Wow...
Wrath shook his head in disbelief.
The King of Essence has encountered quite a few troublemakers, but that one seems to be in a league of her own. She’s a troublemaker of a different breed compared to that shitty-ears idiot.
'Exactly.'
Raon nodded briefly. Most troublemakers relied solely on their noble bloodline to cause havoc, but Aris had both noble blood and exceptional abilities.
Even within the Six Kings or Zieghart, only Glenn could handle her.
"If you can't choose, shall your auntie pick one for you?"
Aris skimmed through the documents she was holding and held one up.
"This is nice. The thugs of the South-North Union have come to scout up to the Parin River, which is our territory. Go and thrash them. It's like a rehearsal for dueling the Axe King."
She laughed, saying that she was sending a warning to the South-North Union leader and the Axe King.
"This one’s also nice. Monsters are gathering in the Tonon Plains in the northwest. Since the Light Wind division just had group training, it wouldn't be bad to participate in a large-scale battle. And..."
Aris continued to tell him about the contents of the documents, choosing good missions for him.
"Uh..."
"What, what?"
"What is this?"
The executives stared blankly at Aris and Raon, glancing back and forth in disbelief.
"If you don't want to get bitten by a mad dog, just stay quiet."
Balder raised a fist, signaling the executives to shut up. It seemed he didn’t want to increase the number of victims beyond himself.
"Who are you calling a mad dog!"
Aris frowned and struck Balder in the waist.
"Hurrggh!"
Balder fell to the ground but quickly stood up, striking a pose that highlighted his muscles. He seemed to imply that thanks to his muscles, he wasn’t hurt, but it only made him look more ridiculous.
"Ugh..."
Raon rubbed his throbbing temples with his fingers. He was getting more and more embarrassed, so much so that his hands were shaking.
"Excuse me, Lady Aris."
As he was about to ask Aris to please stop, Denier stood up from his seat.
"Elder sister."
Denier approached Aris and bowed his head.
"Please calm down. This kind of thing is not helpful to Raon."
"Are you going to interfere too?"
"That's not it. I understand the importance of showing consideration for the newly appointed executive as you said. However..."
He turned to Raon and raised an eyebrow.
"It has to be Raon's decision. If you spoon-feed him and pick for him, it won't help him grow at all. You won't always be here to hold his hand at every executive conference, will you?"
Regardless of what people generally thought of Denier, everyone here had to admit that what he just said was the undeniable truth.
However, Aris was a free spirit who despised conventional wisdom.
"Hmm."
Aris slowly turned her gaze toward Denier. Their eyes were similar, yet not quite the same.
"You're quite the speaker."
She tilted her chin sideways and curled her lips into a smile.
"With such a silver tongue, you must have quite an appetite."
"El, elder sister?"
Denier blinked, not understanding what she meant.
"You're not wrong. What you said is correct. But coming from you, it feels like you're just putting on an act."
Aris rolled her shoulders, looking as if she was about to throw a punch.
Raon let out a breath. He had hoped that listening to Denier would make Aris back down, but as expected, she seemed intent on escalating the situation.
"Sigh..."
Denier stepped back, assuming a defensive stance. A solid aura like a stone wall rose from under his feet.
Kugugugugu!
Aris threw the documents aside and stood up. An eerie energy like a beast of prey emanated from her entire body.
'Guess this is the only way.'
Raon sighed and looked at Aris. With a tense throat, he spoke up.
"Aunt."
As soon as he said the word "aunt," the eerie energy that was rising above Aris' shoulders disappeared like it had been washed away.
"Yes, my dear nephew!"
Aris smiled, as if nothing had happened.
"What's the matter?"
Her voice, warm and filled with affection, was a stark contrast to the one she used to pressure Denier. She waved her hand cheerfully.
"Wow, look how her voice changes. She's the one putting on an act."
"Shut up!"
Balder grumbled at Aris and then she kicked his shin.
"Kuhk!"
He grabbed his shin and rolled on the ground. It seemed that shins couldn't be protected by muscle alone.
"I also agree with the master of Wise Martial Palace."
Raon looked up at Aris after watching Balder roll around.
"I'm grateful that you're taking care of me because I'm a newbie, but you don't have to give me special treatment like this. I'll receive missions through the proper channels, just like the other executives."
Though he felt sorry for refusing Aris's help, this was the right way to handle the situation.
"Is that so? If that's what you want, I suppose there's no helping it."
Aris waved her hand dismissively and sat back in Balder's seat. She didn't seem the least bit offended, in fact, she seemed quite pleased.
'Just as I thought.'
It had seemed odd that Aris, typically headstrong, was acting unreasonably, apparently, she had wanted someone to intervene.
'It must be because of me.'
It was clear that she wanted to present Raon as a good image to the executives by standing up to stop Aris Zieghart and stating that he would receive missions based on his own merits.
In other words, her goal was to raise his reputation.
"Thank you, Raon."
Denier nodded slightly as if to express his gratitude for understanding his intentions and sat down.
"Ugh..."
Balder massaged his shin, got up, and stood behind Aris again.
"I must say, despite everything, I like his attitude. He's got guts."
He seemed to have forgotten what he had said about Raon ten minutes ago, gave a thumbs up, finding Raon more likable now. His simple-mindedness made him hard to predict.
"Then let's continue."
Aris smiled satisfactorily and handed the scattered documents to Chad.
"Y, yes, thank you."
Chad received the documents with trembling hands, his eyes focused in Raon’s direction. His clenched fist seemed to symbolize a determination.
"Then, let's resume the mission assignments."
Chad organized the documents, watching Aris' reaction.
Balder was still standing behind Aris. It was strange that he didn't take someone else's seat.
"There is no need for me to explain the task extensively, as Lady Aris has already done so. Those who wish to undertake the mission of expelling the South-North Union from the Parin River area, please raise your hands."
“…….”
Silence. No, it was chilly. All the executives were watching Aris and Raon.
Raon closed his eyes and bowed his head. He showed everyone that he had no interest in the mission.
"Then we'll take it."
Lattein, the division leader of Warring Sword, who was sitting on the right, raised his hand. As there was no opposition, the Warring Sword took on the task.
"The next mission is to exterminate the monsters gathering in the Tonon Plains. Judging by the fact that both large and small monsters are gathering, it seems like a high-level monster is being born. Those who want to take on this mission, please raise your hands."
“…….”
Once again, no one raised their hand. They immediately closed their eyes.
"We'll handle the extermination mission."
Trevin raised his hand. Again, with no opposition, the Warring Steel division took on the extermination mission.
"Today's round table conference is going well. Let's keep going."
Chad read the documents he had, one by one, and the executives, their tension relieved, took on the missions one by one.
"Ah, here it comes."
Chad deepened the well in his mouth and picked up the document.
"This is a mission about the tomb of the Saber Sword Sovereign, which I mentioned when I first explained the state of the continent."
He tapped the document and smacked his lips.
"We are Zieghart. No martial art in the world can compare to our swordsmanship, but currently, the location of the tomb of the Saber Sword Sovereign known to the White Snake is not far from Zieghart's territory."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. It's not within our territory but close enough that it could pose a significant problem if discovered. We need to take preventive measures."
Chad explained the need to retrieve the map from the White Snake and to determine the tomb's status, nodding as he spoke.
"Retrieving the map of the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb or entering the tomb itself could be a very dangerous task. Nevertheless, any executives willing to take on this mission, please raise your hands."
"Me!"
Balder raised his hand right away.
"Our True Martial Place will go!"
“No, you won't.”
Denier shook his head with a sigh.
"If I say I'm going, I'm going! It's not about the tomb of the Saber Sword Sovereign, it's about proving that Zeighart is the strongest!"
Balder clenched his fist, declaring that he intended to go not to obtain the tomb's treasures but to defeat anyone who came near it.
“We haven’t finished investigating the Central Martial Palace yet. Have you forgotten the head of house’s orders?”
"Oh..."
Balder's mouth formed an "O" as he suddenly remembered the investigation mission.
Seeing that neither of the two palace masters would move, other executives without missions began raising their hands.
Observing their actions, Raon nodded to himself.
‘Of course.’
The Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb was a mission of a different caliber from those assigned so far.
The honor and wealth, as well as the martial arts of the Saber Sword Sovereign that could be obtained by conquering the tomb, were unparalleled. It was natural for Zieghart executives to be drawn to it.
Aren't you raising your hand? You were eyeing that mission.
Wrath tilted his head, wondering what Raon was doing.
“Raon.”
Aris gestured with her finger, indicating that he should choose this mission.
Raon looked at the documents Chad was holding instead of Aris and smacked his lips.
'He said it's near Zieghart's territory.'
Chad said that the White Snake, who had the map to the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb, was moving around near Zieghart territory.
Considering this carefully, Raon realized he could aim for the tomb without taking on this mission.
‘It would be much more easier that way.’
In the end, Raon did not raise his hand and quietly watched the situation unfold.
"I appreciate the participation of the squad leaders, but since this mission is dangerous, it's best for senior executives (division leaders) to go."
“Ugh….”
“That’s a shame.”
“It was a good opportunity.”
Following Chad's advice, the squad leaders withdrew their hands. Only two executives remained.
Serena, the division leader of Void Sword and Dronen, the leader of the Shadow Wolf division directly under the family.
He had often seen Dronen in the audience chamber, but they had never spoken even once. He was a very taciturn man.
"It seems neither of you is willing to concede. Since it's an urgent mission, it's not a good situation for a duel. Let's decide by vote."
Chad called out their names and began the vote on who would take on this mission.
“If you think the Void Sword division should take on the mission, please raise your hand.”
“Me!”
As Aris supported Serena, most of the neutral executives followed suit and raised their hands.
It was as if the decision had already been made even though it was not Dronen’s turn yet.
“Then the mission to the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb will be taken on by the Void Sword division. And… ugh!”
Chad flinched as he flipped through the documents.
“I’m sorry. I forgot about this mission because I had a lot of things to do in between.”
He picked up the first document he had taken out again.
"This is a reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Zieghart’s territory, as I mentioned earlier. If anyone wishes to take on this mission, please raise your hand."
“I will.”
"Raon immediately stood up and raised his hand.
"Huh?"
"You're going on a reconnaissance mission?"
"Why all of a sudden?"
All the executives sitting at the round table glared at Raon as he declared that he would take on a reconnaissance mission that could be considered a chore.
"I thought it would be best to start with what we can do now, as the masters of the True Martial Palace and Wise Martial Palace have suggested. As a junior, I would like our Light Wind to take on this reconnaissance mission."
"Oh, um."
Balder blinked his eyes in confusion as Raon agreed with him.
"Oh, you don't have to do that."
He stepped back from Aris, worried that he might get hit again.
"I want to do what you said...."
"No. We'll take on the reconnaissance slowly and use it as an opportunity to review what Zieghart is like."
Raon shook his head and declared that he would take on this mission.
"Ha! I knew I liked something about your personality!"
Balder nodded his head in satisfaction as he watched Aris remain silent.
"Right. Reconnaissance is an important mission! Finish it decisively! And in the next round table, I'll take care of your mission. I'll assign you the best one."
He patted his chest as if to say trust only him.
"Hehe."
On the other hand, Aris smiled faintly as if she understood the intention of the reconnaissance mission.
"...."
Denier also narrowed his eyes as if he understood Raon’s thoughts.
"There seems to be no objection. Then I will make it official that the reconnaissance mission will be taken on by the Light Wind division."
Chad nodded after observing the reactions of the executives sitting at the round table.
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at the noticeably changed expressions of the executives.
* * *
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"Raon, you know..."
Balder chuckled heartily as he followed Denier out of the executive hall.
“I didn’t like his personality at first, especially because of what happened with Raden. It irritated me just to look at him. But recently, every time I see him, he says things that I really like. If I had known, I would have brought him to my side earlier.”
He smacked his lips regretfully.
"As expected."
Denier shook his head at Balder's smile.
“You still haven’t figured out that kid’s way of thinking.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you think Raon, who showed no interest in reconnaissance before, suddenly decided to take on a reconnaissance mission?”
“He said he wanted to see more of Zieghart….”
“That’s not it.”
Denier slowly waved his finger.
“It’s because the person holding the map of the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb is not too far from Zieghart’s territory.”
“Then….”
“Exactly. Given the location, he can search for the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb under the pretext of reconnaissance. Raon planned this. He created a situation where he could both gain favor with the executives and achieve his own goal.”
Denier chuckled, acknowledging Raon's perceptiveness.
“In fact, everyone except you could have come up with that idea. But the one who assessed the situation the fastest and made the decision was Raon. It’s hard to believe that kid was quicker than the executives who have attended dozens of executive meetings.”
“Hmm….”
“Now that they realize it, the executives might feel like they’ve been played.”
“That’s not it.”
Balder shook his head firmly.
“They shouldn’t feel played, they should admire him. He earned the mission with his own abilities. It’s right to praise him for that. Complaining about being outsmarted is something only petty-minded rats would do.”
He laughed, saying it was right to praise Raon.
“The more I think about it, the more I regret it. A kid that smart should have been in our palace.”
“You…”
Denier narrowed his eyes as he looked at Balder.
“Don’t you feel any jealousy?”
“Jealousy?”
“Because of what brother did, Raon Zieghart has gained greater trust from father and has become a division leader. If he survives the life or death duel next year, he’ll become a direct line, and the Light Wind division will become a palace. He’ll be a candidate for successor, just like us. He’ll become your rival.”
“Hmm….”
Balder scratched his chin with his large hand.
“I do want the position of family head. It would be great if I could get it, and I’d do whatever it takes to achieve it. Well, except doing something as terrible as he did.”
He glanced towards where Karoon was being held in the hospital.
“I could feel jealousy, and I might envy him. But if it’s clear that even my full strength isn’t enough, it means he’s someone who can grow Zieghart more than I can. In that case, I don’t mind yielding.”
Balder shook his head, saying that as long as Zieghart could grow, he could accept any family head.
“……”
Denier nodded as he looked at Balder.
“You never change.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I mean, stay as you are.”
Denier patted Balder’s shoulder gently and then returned to the main building of Wise Martial Palace.
“Speak plainly!”
Balder frowned as he watched Denier’s back.
“That’s too hard!”
* * *
Two days later.
Raon went to the bustling area to receive the information he had requested from the Black Market.
As he opened the door of the shop tucked away in a corner of the shopping district, a warm woody scent greeted him.
As he walked inside, looking at the sculptures that had increased in number, the owner who was sitting at the counter took off her hood and bowed her head.
It was Denning Rose, who wore an eyepatch with a purple rose pattern.
"I greet you, the division leader of Light Wind division."
Denning Rose bowed her head with a small smile on her lips.
“Why the sudden formality?”
Raon looked at Denning Rose with an uncomfortable gaze.
“Now that you’re a division leader, you deserve to be treated accordingly.”
Denning Rose waved her hand, saying it was only natural for a merchant.
“Congratulations on becoming a division leader.”
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head in return and sat in the seat Denning Rose indicated.
"But it's surprising to see the branch manager herself here."
"Since it was the division leader's request, of course I had to come personally."
Denning Rose smiled, saying it was a matter of courtesy to the customer.
"I'd love to hear about how you ascended to the position of division leader, but time is short, so let's get straight to business. The situation has changed a bit."
Her outward appearance took on a serious glint.
"What do you mean by 'the situation has changed'...?"
"Two days ago, the one who had the map to the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb, the White Snake, was killed, and the owner has changed."
"Who's the current owner?"
"The Holy Sword Alliance."
Denning Rose's lips twitched slightly.
"Right now, the map to the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb is in the hands of the Holy Sword Alliance."