Alice grinned, waving the documents in her hand as if she genuinely meant for Raon to choose a mission.
"Ugh..."
Raon pressed his lips tightly as he watched the fluttering papers.
'This is embarrassing...'
It had been a long time since he felt this embarrassed, not since he had to act like a baby for Sylvia. His face felt hot. He was sure his cheeks would be bright red if he looked in a mirror.
-Wow...
Wrath shook his head in disbelief.
-This king has met many troublemakers, but I've never seen such an extreme one. She's a bundle of trouble in a different sense from those pointy ears.
'Indeed.'
Raon nodded briefly. Usually, troublemakers only cause chaos with their noble bloodline or abilities, but Alice had both.
Even among the Zieghart, one of the six kings, only Glenn could handle her.
"If you can't choose, should your aunt pick for you?"
Alice skimmed through the documents she was holding and raised one up.
"This one's good. It says the South-North Union's beggars came to scout our territory at the Parin River. Go and crush them. It'll be a rehearsal for capturing the Axe King."
She laughed, suggesting they send a warning to the South-North Union leader and the Axe King.
"This one's not bad either. Monsters are gathering in the Tonon Plains to the northwest. Since the Light Wind division did group training. It wouldn't be bad to participate in a large-scale war. And..."
Alice continued to pick out good missions, explaining the contents of each document.
"Uh..."
"What, what's going on?"
"Is this right?"
The executives looked back and forth between Alice and Raon with dazed eyes.
"If you don't want to get bitten by a mad dog, just stay still."
Balder raised his fist to the executives as if telling them to shut up. He seemed to not want to increase the number of victims besides himself.
"Who are you calling a mad dog!"
Alice frowned and struck Balder's waist.
"Hup!"
Balder crashed to the floor, then sprang up and struck a pose that emphasized his muscles. He seemed to be implying that his muscles prevented any pain, but it looked even more ridiculous.
"Nngh..."
Raon massaged his throbbing temples with his fingers. He was becoming so embarrassed that his hands were starting to shake.
"Excuse me, Lady Alice."
As Raon was about to beg Alice to stop, Denier stood up from his seat.
"Sister."
Denier approached Alice, shaking his head.
"Please calm down. This isn't helping Raon."
"Are you trying to interfere too?"
"That's not it. I understand your intention to be considerate to the new Division Leader and letting him choose missions first. However..."
He turned towards Raon, lowering his eyebrows.
"Raon should decide for himself. If you spoon-feed him everything and choose for him, it won't help his growth at all. You can't be present at every conference, can you?"
Regardless of Denier's usual reputation, what he said now was an undeniable truth that everyone present had to acknowledge.
However, Alice was a free spirit who disliked such righteous arguments.
"Hmm."
Alice slowly turned her gaze to look at Denier. Their eyes were similar, yet different.
"You speak well."
She tilted her chin and curled her lips.
"With that silver tongue, you must want to eat a lot of things."
"Sis-Sister?"
Denier blinked, not understanding what she meant.
"What you said isn't wrong. It's correct. But coming from you... why does it sound like you're putting on airs?"
Alice rolled her shoulders. It looked like she might throw a punch.
Raon let out a sigh. It would have been nice if Alice had backed down after hearing Denier's words, but as expected, she seemed intent on escalating the situation.
"Hah..."
Denier stepped back and took a defensive stance, as if he had no choice. A solid aura, like a rising stone wall, flared up from beneath his feet.
Kugugugugugu!
Alice threw the documents behind her and stood up. A fierce fighting spirit, like that of a berserker, blazed from her entire body.
'Is this the only way after all?'
Raon sighed and looked at Alice. He opened his lips, straining his neck.
"Aunt."
As soon as he said "Aunt," the ominous aura blooming over Alice's shoulders vanished as if washed away.
"Yes, my dear nephew!"
Alice beamed as if she had never been angry.
"What is it?"
Unlike when she was pressuring Denier, she waved her hand with a warmly rising voice.
"Wow, look at how her voice changed. Turns out she's the one putting on airs."
"Shut up!"
Balder grumbled at Alice, only to have his shin kicked.
"Gah!"
He rolled on the floor, clutching his shin. It seemed even muscles couldn't protect the shins.
"I also think the Wise Martial Palace Master is correct."
Raon glanced at the rolling Balder before raising his eyes to Alice.
"I appreciate your care since I'm new and don't have a senior, but you don't need to give me such special treatment. I'll receive missions through proper channels like the other executives."
Though he felt sorry towards Alice who was looking out for him, this was the right way to handle the situation here.
"Is that so? Well, if that's what you want, I guess it can't be helped."
Alice waved her hand dismissively and sat back down in Balder's seat. She didn't seem disappointed at all, rather she seemed pleased.
'As expected.'
Raon had thought it strange that Alice was being more forceful than usual, but it seemed she had been hoping for someone to stop her after all.
'It must be because of me.'
She clearly wanted to make me look good to the executives by emphasizing that I could restrain Alice Zieghart and that I would take on missions by my own strength.
In other words, her goal was to improve my reputation.
"Thank you, Raon."
Denier nodded slightly as if thanking Raon for understanding his intention, then sat down.
"Nngh..."
Balder rubbed his shin, then stood up and took his place behind Alice again.
"I don't know about anything else, but I like that attitude of his. It's befitting of a martial artist."
He gave a thumbs up, saying he liked it, seemingly forgetting that he had called Raon ill-mannered just 10 minutes ago.
His personality was so simple that it was actually hard to get a read on him.
"Then let's continue."
Alice smiled contentedly and passed the scattered documents to Chad.
"Th-Thank you."
Chad received the documents with trembling hands, his eyes fixed on Raon. The way he clenched his fist seemed like he was making some sort of resolution.
"Then I'll resume the mission assignments."
Chad organized the documents while keeping an eye on Alice.
Balder was still standing behind Alice. He could have taken someone else's seat, but the fact that he remained standing showed how peculiar he was.
"Since Lady Alice has already explained the missions in my stead, I won't need to go into detail. Those executives who wish to take on the mission of driving away the South-North Union eyeing the Parin River, please raise your hands."
"..."
It was quiet. No, it was chilly. All the executives were watching Alice and me cautiously.
Raon closed his eyes and lowered his head, showing everyone that he had no interest in that mission.
"Then we'll take it."
Latein, the Leader of the Vanguard Sword Squad sitting on the right, raised his hand. With no objections, the Vanguard Sword Squad was assigned the mission.
"The next mission is to exterminate the monsters gathering in the Tonon Plains. Seeing that both large and small monsters are gathering, it seems a boss-level monster might have been born. Executives who wish to take on this mission, please raise your hands."
"..."
Again, no one raised their hand. Raon immediately closed his eyes.
"We'll take the extermination mission."
Trevin raised his hand. With no objections again, the Warring Steel Division was assigned the extermination mission.
"It's good that today's conference is progressing quickly. Then, let's continue."
Chad read through the documents he had, and the now relaxed executives began to take on missions one by one.
"Ah, this one has arrived."
Chad picked up a document, a deep dimple forming at the corner of his mouth.
"This is the mission regarding the Sword Saint's Tomb that I mentioned when I first explained the continental situation."
He tapped the document and licked his lips.
"We are Zieghart. No martial arts in the world can match our swords, but currently, Baegsau, who knows the location of the Sword Saint's Tomb, is not far from Zieghart territory."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. It's not within our territory, but it's close. If by chance the tomb is discovered near Zieghart, it could cause significant problems, so preemptive action is necessary."
Chad nodded, explaining that someone was needed to retrieve the map from Baegsau and determine whether to open the tomb.
"This will be a very dangerous task as it may involve retrieving the Sword Saint's Tomb map or entering the tomb itself. Still, any executives who wish to take on this mission, please raise your hands."
"Me!"
Balder immediately raised his hand.
"Our True Martial Palace will go!"
"Not you."
Denier sighed and shook his head.
"If I say I'm going, I'm going! I'll show that Zieghart is the strongest, not some Sword Saint!"
Balder clenched his fist, declaring he wasn't going to obtain the tomb's treasure, but to beat up anyone who came to the tomb.
"We haven't finished investigating the Central Martial Palace yet. Have you forgotten the Head of House's orders?"
"Ah..."
Balder's mouth formed an 'O' as if he had just remembered the investigation mission.
Realizing that the two palace masters wouldn't move, the executives who hadn't been assigned missions raised their hands.
Raon nodded as he observed this.
'Of course.'
The Sword Saint's Tomb was on a different level compared to the missions that had come up so far.
The honor, wealth, and the Sword Saint's martial arts that could be gained from conquering the tomb were incomparable to anything else.
It was natural to be drawn to it, even for Zieghart executives.
-Aren't you raising your hand? Weren't you aiming for that?
Wrath tilted his head as if asking what Raon was doing.
"Raon."
Alice also wiggled her finger as if telling Raon to choose this mission.
Raon licked his lips, eyeing the document Chad was holding rather than Alice.
'He just said it was near Zieghart.'
Chad had said that Baegsau, who had the map to the Sword Saint's Tomb, was moving near Zieghart territory.
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed possible to aim for the Sword Saint's Tomb without taking on this mission.
'That would be much easier.'
In the end, Raon didn't raise his hand and quietly observed the situation.
"I appreciate the squad leaders' participation, but since this mission is dangerous, it would be better if someone of Division Leader rank or higher goes."
"Ugh..."
"That's a shame."
"It was a good opportunity."
At Chad's advice, the squad leaders who had raised their hands lowered them. Two executives remained.
Serena, the Void Sword Division Leader, and Dronen, the Division Leader of the Shadow Wolf Squad from the direct lineage.
Raon had often encountered Dronen in the audience chamber, but had never once spoken with him. He was an extremely reticent individual.
"It seems neither of you is willing to yield. As this is 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 this mission.
"Those who think the Void Sword division should take the mission, please raise your hands."
"Me!"
When Alice supported Serena, most of the neutral executives who had been watching the situation raised their hands.
Even though it wasn't Dronen's turn yet, the decision was as good as made.
"Then the Void Sword division will take on the mission regarding the Sword Saint's Tomb. And... oh!"
Chad flinched as he flipped through the documents.
"I apologize. With all that happened in between, I forgot about this mission."
He raised the first document he had taken out earlier.
"This is the reconnaissance mission in Zieghart territory that I mentioned at the beginning. Those who wish to take on this mission, please raise your..."
"I'll do it."
Raon immediately stood up and raised his hand.
"Huh?"
"You're saying you'll go on reconnaissance?"
"Why so suddenly?"
When Raon volunteered for the reconnaissance mission, which Balder had dismissed as menial work, all the executives at the round table widened their eyes.
"As the Wise Martial Palace Master and True Martial Palace Master said, I think it's best to do what we can for now. As a junior, my Light Wind division will take on this reconnaissance mission."
"Uh, hmm."
Balder blinked, seeming flustered that Raon was following his words.
"Ah, you don't have to do that."
He took a step back from Alice, as if worried about getting hit again.
"Do what you want, as you said…"
"No. I will take my time on reconnaissance and reflect on what kind of place Zieghart is once more."
Raon shook his head and declared he would take on this mission.
"Hah! I'm telling you, I like his attitude!"
Balder nodded approvingly, seeing that Alice remained quiet.
"That's right. Reconnaissance is an important mission too! Make sure to complete it thoroughly! And at the next conference, I'll look out for your mission. I'll assign you the best one."
He thumped his chest as if to say 'just trust me'.
"Hehe."
Meanwhile, Alice smiled softly, as if she had noticed the intention behind accepting the reconnaissance mission.
"..."
Denier also narrowed his eyes, as if he had grasped Raon's thoughts.
"There are no objections, I see. Then the reconnaissance mission will be assigned to the Light Wind division."
Chad nodded after observing the reactions of the executives seated at the round table.
Raon smiled faintly as he noticed the clearly changed looks in the executives' eyes.
* * *
"That Raon guy. You know."
Balder followed Denier out of the conference room, letting out a big laugh.
"Don't you like his personality? After what happened with Raiden, just seeing him irritated me, but these days he says things I like every time I see him. If I'd known it'd be like this, I should have brought him to our palace."
He smacked his lips as if regretting it.
"As expected."
Denier shook his head, looking at Balder's smile.
"You couldn't read that child's thoughts."
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think Raon, who showed no interest in reconnaissance, suddenly volunteered for the reconnaissance mission?"
"He said it himself. That he wanted to reflect on Zieghart..."
"That's not it."
He slowly waggled his finger.
"It's because the one who currently has the Sword Saint's map is not far from Zieghart territory."
"Then..."
"Yes. At that distance, he can search for the Sword Saint's Tomb under the pretext of reconnaissance. That's what Raon is aiming for. He's created a way to gain favor with the executives while also pursuing practical benefits."
Denier let out a hollow laugh, saying Raon's situational awareness was impressive.
"Actually, everyone except you could have had that thought. But Raon was the one who judged and decided on it the fastest. It's hard to believe that child grasped the situation faster than executives who have participated in dozens of conferences."
"Hmm..."
"The executives who've realized this now might think they've been played."
"That's not right."
Balder shook his head firmly.
"It's not that we've been played, we should think he's impressive. He got the mission through his own ability. We should praise him for that. Only narrow-minded rat bastards would chirp about being played."
He laughed, saying it was right to praise Raon.
"The more I think about it, the more of a shame it is. Such a quick-witted guy should have come to our palace."
"You."
Denier narrowed his eyes as he looked at Balder.
"Aren't you feeling envious?"
"Envy?"
"Thanks to your brother's incident, Raon Zieghart has gained more of Father's trust and taken the seat of a Division Leader. If he survives next year's life-and-death trial, he'll likely become part of the direct lineage, the Light Wind division will become a palace, and he'll be among the successor candidates like us. He's becoming your rival."
"Hmm..."
Balder scratched his chin with his large hand.
"I do want the position of Head of House too. It'd be nice if I got it, and I'd do whatever I could to get it if possible. Well, I wouldn't do anything like what that guy did, though."
He glanced towards where the infirmary was, as if remembering Karoon.
"I might feel envious, and I might be jealous. But if I can't beat him with all my strength, it means he's someone who can make Zieghart even greater than I could. So I don't mind yielding to him."
Balder shook his head, saying he could accept any Head of House as long as it meant Zieghart would grow.
"..."
Denier nodded as he looked at Balder.
"You haven't changed at all."
"What are you saying all of a sudden?"
"I mean stay just as you are."
Denier patted Balder's shoulder gently and returned to the Wise Martial Palace.
"Speak more plainly!"
Balder frowned as he watched Denier's back.
"It's too difficult!"
* * *
Two days later.
Raon came out to the bustling street to receive the information he had requested from the Black Market.
As he opened the door of the old statue shop in the corner of the market, he felt a warm wooden scent that calmed his mind.
As he walked inside, counting the increased number of sculptures, the owner sitting at the counter removed her hood and bowed her head.
It was Denning Rose, wearing an eye patch with a purple rose pattern.
"It's an honor to see you, Light Wind Division Leader."
Denning Rose bowed her head with a small smile on her lips.
"Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
Raon looked at Denning Rose with a disgruntled expression.
"You've become a Division Leader, so I must treat you accordingly."
Denning Rose waved her hand, saying it was only natural as a merchant.
"Congratulations on becoming a Division Leader."
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head in return and sat in the seat Denning Rose guided him to.
"But I see the Branch Manager herself has come."
"It's your request, Division Leader, so of course I had to come myself."
Denning Rose smiled, saying it was courtesy towards a customer.
"I'd like to hear directly about your promotion to Division Leader, but since we don't have time, let's get straight to business. The situation has changed a bit."
Her single eye flashed with a serious light.
"What do you mean the situation has changed..."
"Just two days ago, Baegsau, who had the map to the Sword Saint's Tomb, died, and the owner of the map has changed."
"Who is the new owner?"
"The Holy Sword Alliance."
Denning Rose's lips trembled briefly.
"The map to the Sword Saint's Tomb is now in the hands of the Holy Sword Alliance."