The Gambling Monster approached him with exhausted steps. He placed the gold pouch on the platform and exhaled roughly.
âThis is the interest that idiot owed you.â
He furrowed his brows in displeasure while pushing the gold pouch towards the center.
âHmm.â
Raon looked at Rimmer, who was panting on the ground.
Naturally, they didnât go all-out in their fight, and Rimmer seemed to have backed down for the Gambling Monster because it was his first appearance in the squad.
âGood job.â
Raon faintly smiled, then pushed the gold pouch back.
âJust as I mentioned before, please use this as a management fund for the Light Wind squad.â
Raon returned all of the gold that Gambling Monster had brought him.
âAre you sure about that?â
âOf course.â
The Gambling Monster knew how to increase money. Leaving it to him would allow it to be multiplied several times and make the Light Wind rich.
âThis is so shitty when itâs only the first day.â
The Gambling Monster ground his teeth and straightened his back.
âThat idiot elf. Even though he got weaker, became even more tenaciousâlike a leech.â
âSame goes for you, old man. How did you get even stronger when you went senile and stopped using a sword?â
Rimmer snickered while getting up. Considering the fact that theyâd managed to catch their breath in a moment, they both still had plenty of room to spare.
Even though theyâd just finished an uninvited fight, they didnât look like they hated it. In fact, the faint smiles that could be seen around their lips revealed that they were feeling refreshed instead.
âSince Iâve followed your instructions, Iâm going to leave now. I have lots of things to do in order to change this miserable placâŠâ
âWe havenât even started with todayâs schedule.â
âWhat?â
The Gambling Monsterâs chin was trembling. He showed a lot of emotions when he wasnât gambling.
âThe other tasks are also important, but the most urgent task is to increase the prowess of Light Wind members.â
Raon pointed at the Light Wind members, who were standing by after finishing their preparations to start training.
âThe instructor should be here with them, since training is about to start.â
âYou must be planning to work this old man to the bone.â
âSince I went through so many hardships in order to obtain an important person like you, I should obviously make the best use of you.â
âHaa.â
The Gambling Monster sighed deeply before leaning his back against the platform. He nodded his head with his arms crossed, which seemed to be a gesture to urge him to continue.
âThank you.â
Raon bowed at the Gambling Monster, then stood in front of the Light Wind members.
âYou mustâve witnessed our instructorâs might. Since you are going to show your skills to him for the first time, you should do your best!â
âUnderstood!â
The swordsmen shouted loud and clear, since they admired the Gambling Monster, whose prowess didnât lose to Rimmer at all.
Raon smiled and drew his sword.
âLetâs start the regular training.â
* * *
Raon finished the personal swordsmanship, footwork, sword formation, and situational understanding training before going to the platform.
The Gambling Monster was leaning his back against the platform just like in the beginning, and Rimmer was snoring while lying down on the platform.
âWhat did you think about them?â
âEveryone must be around your age, right?â
âIndeed.â
âThey are not bad. Those three are especially nice.â
The Gambling Monster pointed at Burren, Runaan, and Martha one after the other with his chin, then nodded.
âThey have the qualities to become famous throughout the continent once they gain more experience.â
Heâd noticed the team leadersâ abilities at a glance, which shouldâve been expected.
âThe other ones arenât too bad, either. Even among the Ziegharts, they are stronger and more experienced than what weâd expect from their age.â
He said that the other swordsmen were also pretty good. It was an unexpectedly precise evaluation.
âI think I wonât be bored of teaching them. HoweverâŠâ
The Gambling Monster furrowed his brows while examining Raon up and down.
âWhatâs wrong with you?â
âPardon?â
âYou grew up with them, so how come you are the only one who became such a monster?â
âIâm not really a monsteâŠâ
âYouâve become a novice level Master at eighteen years of age. If you arenât a monster, who else would be?â
He shook his hand in a wide arc, telling Raon to stop joking.
âThatâs all thanks to me.â
Rimmer, whoâd been rolling on the platform, poked his head up. His face had become gaunt, probably because his money was taken away.
âRaon became such a powerful monster because of the great meâs teaching.â
âDonât make me laugh. Itâs impossible for a beggar like you to raise a monster like him!â
âIâm telling you, itâs true! Am I right, Raon?â
âHeâs not wrong.â
Raon nodded while smiling faintly. Heâd taught him swordsmanship, aura, and even the mindset. Rimmer was indeed an excellent teacher, except for the gambling part.
âYou were like an evil demon earlier, but now you are acting polite. I canât tell which one is your true self.â
âIâve always been polite, though.â
âHmph. I thought your manners were in your stomach because you ate them with your stew.â
The Gambling Monster snorted while uncrossing his arms.
âSince Iâve seen what I needed to, Iâll think about what training you guys need.â
He moved away from the platform and warmed up his neck. He looked like he was about to leave.
âBut you havenât seen my swordsmanship yet.â
âI saw plenty of that yesterday. I have nothing to teach you, so you should work on your own.â
âIn that case, can I ask you a question?â
Raon blocked the Gambling Monsterâs path as he was trying to leave, his eyes sparkling with respect.
âIâm listening.â
âWhat is the illusion sword?â
âHmmâŠâ
The Gambling Monster closed his eyes and wrinkles appeared on his forehead.
âHaa, even the questions you ask are so annoying.â
He could only sigh. It wouldâve been easy to answer if heâd asked him to teach him about the illusion sword, or how to be good at using the illusion sword, or even important aspects in using the illusion sword. However, his question was piercing right through his life. It was a truly difficult question to answer.
âI think itâs an illusion you show to the enemy.â
âIllusion?â
âNo matter how splendid and flashy a swordsmanship is, taking the enemyâs life is the objective in the end. The illusion sword consists of creating a false image in the enemyâs eyes before cutting their head off.â
âEnemyâs eyesâŠâ
âThis is something newbies with an illusion swordâno, even the more experienced ones often make a mistake with.â
The Gambling Monster drew his sword. The blade came out without any preliminary motion to rotate in a circle, creating a beautiful and jagged flower petal.
âLike this.â
He sheathed his sword, then tilted his chin.
âIn my opinion, the key point of the illusion sword is to consider how my opponent will see my swordsmanship, rather than how I see it.â
âHmm.â
Raon closed his eyes while feeling the remnant of the aura that still existed in the air.
âI think I get what he means.â
He felt enlightened. It wasnât about himself, but the enemy. He needed to think about which illusion to show to the enemy and with what method and intention in order to create the best illusion sword.
âI think this can also be applied to the other swordsmanships.â
Let alone the illusion sword, the advice could be applied to the other swordsmanships, such as the swift sword.
The Gambling Monster sounded carefree, but his words included the principles of illusion sword that heâd learned through decades of his life.
âI think I should use a mirror.â
âYes. A mirror is what you need the most upon learning the illusion sword, even more than a sword.â
âThank you for your advice.â
Raon bowed politely at the Gambling Monster. Since he didnât expect him to give such sincere advice, he was really thankful to him.
âWhatever. It wasnât a big deal.â
âNo, it was really helpful to me.â
He bowed once again.
âHmmâŠâ
The Gambling Monster was apparently satisfied with his honest expression of gratitude, as his reaction became smoother.
âI also have something I haven't mentioned yet.â
âWhat is it?â
âIf you win against me in a drinking or gambling contest, Iâll release you right away.â
âA-Are you serious?â
âOf course.â
Raon smiled.
âThen letâs do it right awaâŠâ
âWe only just finished the match yesterday, so we canât do it again right away. The chances are over for this year. You can try again next year.â
âUgh!â
He lowered his hand that heâd started to raise, biting his lip.
Huh.
Wrath exclaimed, popping out from the bracelet.
Thereâs no way that old man is going to win against you in gambling or drinking. You are feeding him hope in order to make him do his job. You are truly the nastiest guy of all.
He shook his head in admiration.
The King of Essence would like to learn how you can even think like that. How about giving some lessons?
âThatâs not true.â
Raon chuckled, then approached the Gambling Monster.
âOne more thing.â
He raised his finger and continued.
âYou can leave whenever you judge that Iâm not meeting your expectations, Sir General Administrator.â
âIf you donât meet my expectations?â
âYes.â
âAre you telling me that itâs okay for me to leave right away?â
âOf course you can. However, I know that you wonât.â
Raon smiled faintly.
âHeâs not that type of person.â
The Gambling Monster usually cheated and laughed at his opponents while gambling, but he didnât give a serious penalty upon losing.
He just chased them away naked, and continuously gave them the chance to challenge him again. Even during the fight against Raon, his attacks had always been non-lethal, and he never targeted his vital points. Considering the fact that he came all the way to the training ground in order to keep his promise, he mustâve been a good person to be acquainted with.
âKuh.â
The Gambling Monster frowned in displeasure. His ears had turned completely red.
âI really donât like you.â
âI hope we get along well in the future.â
Raon smiled cheerfully, then returned to the Light Wind members in order to finish the training.
Ooh!
Wrath splashed up into the air.
You are now trying to steal his mind! You are indeed more like a demon, rather than a human! Come to the King of EssenceâŠ
âIâm really not.â
Raon laughed bitterly and pushed Wrath back.
âThat guy.â
The Gambling Monster exhaled roughly while looking at Raonâs back.
âWhat the hell is that guy? Which one is his true self?â
He looked like a seasoned gambler in the gambling house and a demon on the training ground, yet the way he was acting just a moment ago was polite and respectful. All those sides heâd shown him looked like completely different people.
He couldnât even tell which one was the true Raon Zieghart.
âAll of them are Raon.â
Rimmer shook his hand, as if he were used to him.
âHeâs always been like that. From what you are saying, it looks like you took a liking to him as well, old man.â
He giggled and tapped on the Gambling Monsterâs shoulder.
âHmph! I donât care what that youngling does.â
The Gambling Monster pulled himself away from the platform with an irritated expression on his face.
âStaying here makes me uncomfortable. Iâm leaving.â
âWait.â
When he was about to leave, Rimmer grabbed his sleeve.
âYou need to go somewhere with me.â
âWhere?â
âThe head of house has summoned you, old man.â
Rimmer pointed at the lordâs manor, which could be seen from afar.
âDid you tell him about this?â
âWhy would I do something so annoying? It would make less sense if the head of house didnât know about your return.â
âHmm, I guess I should greet him at least.â
The Gambling Monster awkwardly scratched his chin.
âYou should be careful then.â
Rimmer grinned while swirling his finger.
âSince he might be a bit angry right now.â
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
âGreeting my lord.â
The Gambling Monster knelt in front of Glenn Zieghart, then bowed.
âItâs been a long time.â
Glenn raised his chin from his hand and nodded slightly.
âIt looks like youâve been doing well recently.â
The Gambling Monster grinned, then raised himself.
âHave I been doing well?â
âYou look like you are brimming with vitality compared to before.â
âThat would be the case for you, since you ran away while saying that youâd live however you felt like living.â
Glenn shook his head with a cold smile.
âYou said that you wouldnât return because it reminds you of the past. Why did you return now?â
âHaaâŠâ
The Gambling Monster sighed deeply and looked up to Glenn.
âItâs thanks to that excellent grandson you have, my lord.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âRaon Zieghart, that impudent bratâŠâ
He told Glenn everything that happened, as if he was trying to vent the frustration that Raon caused him.
Rimmer smiled while looking at the complaining Gambling Monster and Glenn, who was listening to him attentively.
âThe Gambling Monster must not have realized why the head of house is listening to him right now.â
Glenn was already aware of everything that had happened. He wasnât exactly curious about the Gambling Monsterâs side of the storyâhe just wanted to hear about Raonâs great actions directly from the Gambling Monster.
âWhat an amazing love for his grandson.â
Moreover, the fact that he acted coldly towards Raon on the outside despite his thoughts made him even more amazing.
ââŠThatâs why I ended up as the annex buildingâs general administrator against my will.â
The Gambling Monster sighed deeply in embarrassment.
âWas he that good at gambling?â
Glenn asked, the corners of his lips raising slightly.
âIt was mind blowing. Iâm sure he wonât lose even against a gambler that is famous throughout the continent.â
The Gambling Monster murmured that he felt despair while gambling against Raon.
âIn that case, he must not have learned it from him.â
Glenn pointed at Rimmer, who was just standing in the back.
âThere are cases of disciples surpassing their masters, but that idiot is the biggest loser when it comes to gambling. Heâs completely different from Raon. Thereâs no way he was taught by him.â
âAha! I told you, didnât I?â
Rimmer stepped up and frowned.
âIt feels pretty bad to be called a loser, but I really didnât do it! Iâm not the one who taught Raon about gambling!â
âAhemâŠâ
âApologize to me! My bones still hurt because you kept beating me up over and over because of that!â
Because Glenn misunderstood that Rimmer had taught Raon about gambling, he had to be struck by lightning three times over. Since someone was there to prove his innocence, he couldnât overlook the incident anymore.
âApologize! Apologize! Apologize!â
Rimmer protested by punching the air with his fist.
âIâm sorry. It was my mistake.â
âDo something! Do something! Do something!â
He raised his voice even more in order to use the opportunity to obtain something else. His objective was obviously gold coins.
âSince I donât need lip service, give me a proper compensatioâŠâ
Rumble!
When Rimmer extended his hand in order to ask for money, lightning appeared from thin air and fell down on him.
âKuaah!â
Because the lightning had literally appeared in an instant, Rimmer couldnât even think about dodging it and collapsed while screaming.
âY-You demonâŠâ
Rimmer shivered, raising his head with difficulty.
âThe grandfather and grandson are so similar.â
He had a feeling that Glenn was a more shameless version of Raon. The way they looked so similar reminded him that they were grandfather and grandson for a good reason.
âHerrian, I have a question for you.â
Glenn pointed at Herrian with his chin, not even looking at Rimmer. His pressure was filled with an unusually uncomfortable atmosphere, suggesting it might turn into a tidal wave to overwhelm the entire audience chamber.
âP-Please do.â
The Gambling Monster swallowed nervously because of the sudden heaviness of the atmosphere.
âDid the liquor taste good when you drank it with Raon?â
âWhat?â
âI asked you whether the liquor tasted good or not when you drank it while facing Raon.â
âUhâŠâ
The Gambling Monsterâs eyes were shivering like a reed because of the completely unexpected question.
âHup.â
Rimmer covered his mouth in order to stop himself from laughing.
âHe got mad because he couldnât be the one to teach his grandson how to drink for the first time.â
Glennâs pressure had become uncomfortable because the Gambling Monster had taken away Raonâs first drinking experience. Glenn mustâve been angry because his grandsonâs first drink, the one that heâd been looking forward to, was taken away by his old subordinate.
âHmm, I think it wasnât too bad.â
The Gambling Monster slowly nodded.
âIt wasnât too bad?â
Glennâs voice was getting heated. He sounded like he was getting angry.
âNo one is normally capable of catching up to my drinking speed, but that boy was even faster than me as he taunted me. Since it has never happened to me before, it was mysterious, and I somehow didnât feel lonely. The feeling that I was actually with other people was something I havenât experienced in a long time.â
âHmmâŠâ
âItâs a bit awkward for me to say this because he has defeated me, but you have a really nice grandson.â
Unlike the sarcasm from before, he was complimenting him from the bottom of his heart. The Gambling Monsterâs sudden compliment about Raon suddenly extinguished Glennâs tremendous pressure like a candlelight.
âI thought at first that he was just a greenhorn who didnât know his place. I now see him as a great tiger who is trying to become the master of a mountain after having experienced all kinds of hardships, despite his young age. Iâve faced countless talents during my journey in the continent, yet the real deal was here in Zieghart.â
The Gambling Monster placed his hand on the left side of his chest with a faint smile on his face.
âI have to apologize to my lord, since you are my previous master, because I think Iâm going to have to serve the young master for a while. I canât break the promise that Iâve made under my name, after all.â
He lowered his head from that posture.
âHuhâŠâ
Rimmer gasped.
âDid he really accept him already?â
Although he mustâve been aware of the fact that Raon was a collateral, the Gambling Monster was trying to help Raon from the bottom of his heart. He mustâve really taken a liking to him through the previous incident.
âDid he remind him of the past?â
The Gambling Monster mustâve thought about the times when everyone was together back then.
âSeriously, that guyâŠâ
The way Raon told him in the end that he could leave if he didnât like him mustâve pulled at his heartstrings.
Raon must not be aware of that fact, but that was similar to what Glenn had told the Gambling Monster before.
âAhem.â
He raised his head to look at Glenn. He was trying to force the corners of his mouth to come back down from the sky.
Rimmer chuckled.
âHe really is simple at times like this.â
He was enraged until a moment ago over his grandsonâs first drinking experience being taken away, yet he was now so happy just because the Gambling Monster acknowledged Raon from the bottom of his heart. He was the definition of a doting grandfather.
âWhich means you didnât actually join ZieghartâŠâ
âThatâs right. Iâm affiliated with the annex building. Iâm going to have to obey them, instead.â
The Gambling Monster calmly declared that Raon was his boss, rather than Zieghart.
âI see.â
Glennâs mouth and eyes were wavering violently. It signified that he liked it even more.
âIt canât be helped, since I personally released you back then.â
Glenn furrowed his brows and nodded. He naturally covered his mouth with his hand, probably trying to hide the smile on his face.
âThank you.â
The Gambling Monster politely knelt and bowed at him. He didnât seem to have realized Glennâs reaction yet.
âRimmer.â
Glenn called Rimmerâs name. His eyes were brimming with excitement.
âI have something to tell you, as well.â
âThank you. Iâll make good use of the compensationâŠâ
âWhat kind of bullshit are you spouting again?â
He frowned, waving his hand.
âIâm not talking about money. Itâs about a mission for the Light Wind squad.â