The Gambling Monster approached him with exhausted steps. He placed the gold pouch on the platform and exhaled roughly.
“This is the interest that idiot owed you.”
He furrowed his brows in displeasure while pushing the gold pouch towards the center.
“Hmm.”
Raon looked at Rimmer, who was panting on the ground.
Naturally, they didn’t 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.
“Good job.”
Raon faintly smiled, then pushed the gold pouch back.
“Just as I mentioned before, please use this as a management fund for the Light Wind squad.”
Raon returned all of the gold that Gambling Monster had brought him.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course.”
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.
“This is so shitty when it’s only the first day.”
The Gambling Monster ground his teeth and straightened his back.
“That idiot elf. Even though he got weaker, became even more tenacious—like a leech.”
“Same goes for you, old man. How did you get even stronger when you went senile and stopped using a sword?”
Rimmer snickered while getting up. Considering the fact that they’d managed to catch their breath in a moment, they both still had plenty of room to spare.
Even though they’d just finished an uninvited fight, they didn’t look like they hated it. In fact, the faint smiles that could be seen around their lips revealed that they were feeling refreshed instead.
“Since I’ve followed your instructions, I’m going to leave now. I have lots of things to do in order to change this miserable plac…”
“We haven’t even started with today’s schedule.”
“What?”
The Gambling Monster’s chin was trembling. He showed a lot of emotions when he wasn’t gambling.
“The other tasks are also important, but the most urgent task is to increase the prowess of Light Wind members.”
Raon pointed at the Light Wind members, who were standing by after finishing their preparations to start training.
“The instructor should be here with them, since training is about to start.”
“You must be planning to work this old man to the bone.”
“Since I went through so many hardships in order to obtain an important person like you, I should obviously make the best use of you.”
“Haa.”
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.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed at the Gambling Monster, then stood in front of the Light Wind members.
“You must’ve witnessed our instructor’s might. Since you are going to show your skills to him for the first time, you should do your best!”
“Understood!”
The swordsmen shouted loud and clear, since they admired the Gambling Monster, whose prowess didn’t lose to Rimmer at all.
Raon smiled and drew his sword.
“Let’s start the regular training.”
* * *
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.
“What did you think about them?”
“Everyone must be around your age, right?”
“Indeed.”
“They are not bad. Those three are especially nice.”
The Gambling Monster pointed at Burren, Runaan, and Martha one after the other with his chin, then nodded.
“They have the qualities to become famous throughout the continent once they gain more experience.”
He’d noticed the team leaders’ abilities at a glance, which should’ve been expected.
“The other ones aren’t too bad, either. Even among the Ziegharts, they are stronger and more experienced than what we’d expect from their age.”
He said that the other swordsmen were also pretty good. It was an unexpectedly precise evaluation.
“I think I won’t be bored of teaching them. However…”
The Gambling Monster furrowed his brows while examining Raon up and down.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Pardon?”
“You grew up with them, so how come you are the only one who became such a monster?”
“I’m not really a monste…”
“You’ve become a novice level Master at eighteen years of age. If you aren’t a monster, who else would be?”
He shook his hand in a wide arc, telling Raon to stop joking.
“That’s all thanks to me.”
Rimmer, who’d been rolling on the platform, poked his head up. His face had become gaunt, probably because his money was taken away.
“Raon became such a powerful monster because of the great me’s teaching.”
“Don’t make me laugh. It’s impossible for a beggar like you to raise a monster like him!”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! Am I right, Raon?”
“He’s not wrong.”
Raon nodded while smiling faintly. He’d taught him swordsmanship, aura, and even the mindset. Rimmer was indeed an excellent teacher, except for the gambling part.
“You were like an evil demon earlier, but now you are acting polite. I can’t tell which one is your true self.”
“I’ve always been polite, though.”
“Hmph. I thought your manners were in your stomach because you ate them with your stew.”
The Gambling Monster snorted while uncrossing his arms.
“Since I’ve seen what I needed to, I’ll think about what training you guys need.”
He moved away from the platform and warmed up his neck. He looked like he was about to leave.
“But you haven’t seen my swordsmanship yet.”
“I saw plenty of that yesterday. I have nothing to teach you, so you should work on your own.”
“In that case, can I ask you a question?”
Raon blocked the Gambling Monster’s path as he was trying to leave, his eyes sparkling with respect.
“I’m listening.”
“What is the illusion sword?”
“Hmm…”
The Gambling Monster closed his eyes and wrinkles appeared on his forehead.
“Haa, even the questions you ask are so annoying.”
He could only sigh. It would’ve been easy to answer if he’d 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.
“I think it’s an illusion you show to the enemy.”
“Illusion?”
“No matter how splendid and flashy a swordsmanship is, taking the enemy’s life is the objective in the end. The illusion sword consists of creating a false image in the enemy’s eyes before cutting their head off.”
“Enemy’s eyes…”
“This is something newbies with an illusion sword—no, even the more experienced ones often make a mistake with.”
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.
“Like this.”
He sheathed his sword, then tilted his chin.
“In 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.”
“Hmm.”
Raon closed his eyes while feeling the remnant of the aura that still existed in the air.
‘I think I get what he means.’
He felt enlightened. It wasn’t 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.
‘I think this can also be applied to the other swordsmanships.’
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 he’d learned through decades of his life.
“I think I should use a mirror.”
“Yes. A mirror is what you need the most upon learning the illusion sword, even more than a sword.”
“Thank you for your advice.”
Raon bowed politely at the Gambling Monster. Since he didn’t expect him to give such sincere advice, he was really thankful to him.
“Whatever. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“No, it was really helpful to me.”
He bowed once again.
“Hmm…”
The Gambling Monster was apparently satisfied with his honest expression of gratitude, as his reaction became smoother.
“I also have something I haven't mentioned yet.”
“What is it?”
“If you win against me in a drinking or gambling contest, I’ll release you right away.”
“A-Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
Raon smiled.
“Then let’s do it right awa…”
“We only just finished the match yesterday, so we can’t do it again right away. The chances are over for this year. You can try again next year.”
“Ugh!”
He lowered his hand that he’d started to raise, biting his lip.
Huh.
Wrath exclaimed, popping out from the bracelet.
There’s 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?
‘That’s not true.’
Raon chuckled, then approached the Gambling Monster.
“One more thing.”
He raised his finger and continued.
“You can leave whenever you judge that I’m not meeting your expectations, Sir General Administrator.”
“If you don’t meet my expectations?”
“Yes.”
“Are you telling me that it’s okay for me to leave right away?”
“Of course you can. However, I know that you won’t.”
Raon smiled faintly.
‘He’s not that type of person.’
The Gambling Monster usually cheated and laughed at his opponents while gambling, but he didn’t 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 must’ve been a good person to be acquainted with.
“Kuh.”
The Gambling Monster frowned in displeasure. His ears had turned completely red.
“I really don’t like you.”
“I hope we get along well in the future.”
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 Essence…
‘I’m really not.’
Raon laughed bitterly and pushed Wrath back.
“That guy.”
The Gambling Monster exhaled roughly while looking at Raon’s back.
“What the hell is that guy? Which one is his true self?”
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 he’d shown him looked like completely different people.
He couldn’t even tell which one was the true Raon Zieghart.
“All of them are Raon.”
Rimmer shook his hand, as if he were used to him.
“He’s always been like that. From what you are saying, it looks like you took a liking to him as well, old man.”
He giggled and tapped on the Gambling Monster’s shoulder.
“Hmph! I don’t care what that youngling does.”
The Gambling Monster pulled himself away from the platform with an irritated expression on his face.
“Staying here makes me uncomfortable. I’m leaving.”
“Wait.”
When he was about to leave, Rimmer grabbed his sleeve.
“You need to go somewhere with me.”
“Where?”
“The head of house has summoned you, old man.”
Rimmer pointed at the lord’s manor, which could be seen from afar.
“Did you tell him about this?”
“Why would I do something so annoying? It would make less sense if the head of house didn’t know about your return.”
“Hmm, I guess I should greet him at least.”
The Gambling Monster awkwardly scratched his chin.
“You should be careful then.”
Rimmer grinned while swirling his finger.
“Since he might be a bit angry right now.”
* * *
* * *
“Greeting my lord.”
The Gambling Monster knelt in front of Glenn Zieghart, then bowed.
“It’s been a long time.”
Glenn raised his chin from his hand and nodded slightly.
“It looks like you’ve been doing well recently.”
The Gambling Monster grinned, then raised himself.
“Have I been doing well?”
“You look like you are brimming with vitality compared to before.”
“That would be the case for you, since you ran away while saying that you’d live however you felt like living.”
Glenn shook his head with a cold smile.
“You said that you wouldn’t return because it reminds you of the past. Why did you return now?”
“Haa…”
The Gambling Monster sighed deeply and looked up to Glenn.
“It’s thanks to that excellent grandson you have, my lord.”
“What do you mean?”
“Raon Zieghart, that impudent brat…”
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.
‘The Gambling Monster must not have realized why the head of house is listening to him right now.’
Glenn was already aware of everything that had happened. He wasn’t exactly curious about the Gambling Monster’s side of the story—he just wanted to hear about Raon’s great actions directly from the Gambling Monster.
‘What an amazing love for his grandson.’
Moreover, the fact that he acted coldly towards Raon on the outside despite his thoughts made him even more amazing.
“…That’s why I ended up as the annex building’s general administrator against my will.”
The Gambling Monster sighed deeply in embarrassment.
“Was he that good at gambling?”
Glenn asked, the corners of his lips raising slightly.
“It was mind blowing. I’m sure he won’t lose even against a gambler that is famous throughout the continent.”
The Gambling Monster murmured that he felt despair while gambling against Raon.
“In that case, he must not have learned it from him.”
Glenn pointed at Rimmer, who was just standing in the back.
“There are cases of disciples surpassing their masters, but that idiot is the biggest loser when it comes to gambling. He’s completely different from Raon. There’s no way he was taught by him.”
“Aha! I told you, didn’t I?”
Rimmer stepped up and frowned.
“It feels pretty bad to be called a loser, but I really didn’t do it! I’m not the one who taught Raon about gambling!”
“Ahem…”
“Apologize to me! My bones still hurt because you kept beating me up over and over because of that!”
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 couldn’t overlook the incident anymore.
“Apologize! Apologize! Apologize!”
Rimmer protested by punching the air with his fist.
“I’m sorry. It was my mistake.”
“Do something! Do something! Do something!”
He raised his voice even more in order to use the opportunity to obtain something else. His objective was obviously gold coins.
“Since I don’t need lip service, give me a proper compensatio…”
Rumble!
When Rimmer extended his hand in order to ask for money, lightning appeared from thin air and fell down on him.
“Kuaah!”
Because the lightning had literally appeared in an instant, Rimmer couldn’t even think about dodging it and collapsed while screaming.
“Y-You demon…”
Rimmer shivered, raising his head with difficulty.
‘The grandfather and grandson are so similar.’
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.
“Herrian, I have a question for you.”
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.
“P-Please do.”
The Gambling Monster swallowed nervously because of the sudden heaviness of the atmosphere.
“Did the liquor taste good when you drank it with Raon?”
“What?”
“I asked you whether the liquor tasted good or not when you drank it while facing Raon.”
“Uh…”
The Gambling Monster’s eyes were shivering like a reed because of the completely unexpected question.
“Hup.”
Rimmer covered his mouth in order to stop himself from laughing.
‘He got mad because he couldn’t be the one to teach his grandson how to drink for the first time.’
Glenn’s pressure had become uncomfortable because the Gambling Monster had taken away Raon’s first drinking experience. Glenn must’ve been angry because his grandson’s first drink, the one that he’d been looking forward to, was taken away by his old subordinate.
“Hmm, I think it wasn’t too bad.”
The Gambling Monster slowly nodded.
“It wasn’t too bad?”
Glenn’s voice was getting heated. He sounded like he was getting angry.
“No 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 didn’t feel lonely. The feeling that I was actually with other people was something I haven’t experienced in a long time.”
“Hmm…”
“It’s a bit awkward for me to say this because he has defeated me, but you have a really nice grandson.”
Unlike the sarcasm from before, he was complimenting him from the bottom of his heart. The Gambling Monster’s sudden compliment about Raon suddenly extinguished Glenn’s tremendous pressure like a candlelight.
“I thought at first that he was just a greenhorn who didn’t 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. I’ve faced countless talents during my journey in the continent, yet the real deal was here in Zieghart.”
The Gambling Monster placed his hand on the left side of his chest with a faint smile on his face.
“I have to apologize to my lord, since you are my previous master, because I think I’m going to have to serve the young master for a while. I can’t break the promise that I’ve made under my name, after all.”
He lowered his head from that posture.
“Huh…”
Rimmer gasped.
‘Did he really accept him already?’
Although he must’ve 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 must’ve really taken a liking to him through the previous incident.
‘Did he remind him of the past?’
The Gambling Monster must’ve thought about the times when everyone was together back then.
‘Seriously, that guy…’
The way Raon told him in the end that he could leave if he didn’t like him must’ve 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.
“Ahem.”
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.
‘He really is simple at times like this.’
He was enraged until a moment ago over his grandson’s 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.
“Which means you didn’t actually join Zieghart…”
“That’s right. I’m affiliated with the annex building. I’m going to have to obey them, instead.”
The Gambling Monster calmly declared that Raon was his boss, rather than Zieghart.
“I see.”
Glenn’s mouth and eyes were wavering violently. It signified that he liked it even more.
“It can’t be helped, since I personally released you back then.”
Glenn furrowed his brows and nodded. He naturally covered his mouth with his hand, probably trying to hide the smile on his face.
“Thank you.”
The Gambling Monster politely knelt and bowed at him. He didn’t seem to have realized Glenn’s reaction yet.
“Rimmer.”
Glenn called Rimmer’s name. His eyes were brimming with excitement.
“I have something to tell you, as well.”
“Thank you. I’ll make good use of the compensation…”
“What kind of bullshit are you spouting again?”
He frowned, waving his hand.
“I’m not talking about money. It’s about a mission for the Light Wind squad.”
