There should be some old advanced swordsmanship manuals in the Wise Martial Palace too."
Martha nodded, saying she should go back to her family and look for martial arts manuals.
"Yeah. Me too..."
Runaan also blinked, saying she would bring the Sullion family's swordsmanship manuals.
-Swordsmanship manuals are useless even as kindling! Just bring the delicious food from your families!
Wrath shook his head up and down, as if he was going crazy and about to jump.
"Are you... dancing?"
Burren's eyes widened as he watched Wrath flailing about.
"Are you that happy?"
He laughed heartily, saying he should bring all the swordsmanship manuals he could.
-You eyeball! Have you really become just an eyeball? How does this look like dancing!
Wrath burst out in angry shouts, wondering why they couldn't understand.
-I'm going mad! These fools are too pure to deal with the greatest trickster in all dimensions!
He pounded his chest, lamenting why he was surrounded by idiots.
'Calm down. I told them to bring swordsmanship manuals for your sake.'
Raon patted Wrath's reddened shoulder.
-What nonsense! You were trying to profit from this yourself!
Wrath gritted his teeth, telling Raon not to spout nonsense.
'Think about it. Those guys were so nervous they were shaking when they heard you were a demon king. But...'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Wrath.
'If that great demon king immediately says "Bring food to this king!" upon meeting, it would completely kill the dignity. I was just preserving your reputation as the Monarch of Wrath.'
He tilted his chin, telling Wrath to think it through.
-I-Is that so?
'That's what I'm saying! How would you feel if a human king you met for negotiations said, "I like food, so bring all the food in the human world to me!"?'
-Would, would that be delicious?
'No! It would be disappointing. They'd call you a glutton who doesn't know time and place!'
Raon persuaded him, saying he really did preserve the demon king's dignity.
'Besides, you don't need to get food from the others. I promised to let you eat whatever you want for a week after we return. Oh, right. I'll extend it to ten days.'
He spread ten fingers in front of Wrath's eyes.
-T-Ten days? Ahem! If you put it that way, I have no choice but to believe you. Hehehe.
As soon as Wrath heard he could eat his favorite foods for ten days, he grinned as if he had never been angry.
'Oh, that was easy.'
-Huh? What did you say?
'Nothing.'
Raon waved his hand with a smile.
"But to think that not just an ordinary demon, but a demon king saved and helped us..."
Martha lowered her chin slightly as she looked at Raon.
"It feels like the stereotype that all demons are evil is breaking down."
She sighed briefly, saying the world was truly complicated.
"The angels were evil..."
Runaan pouted, seemingly recalling the Archangel Uriel that Derus had summoned.
"Did that demon king, I mean, that demon king person help us in other ways too?"
Burren leaned forward, looking curious.
"The Flame Demon General incident was the biggest, but there were many others."
After moistening his throat with some cooled tea, Raon briefly explained the events that had occurred.
"To think there was a battle between demon kings in the Suphren Holy Kingdom..."
Burren's mouth gaped open in disbelief.
"A demon king's battle in the Holy Kingdom. It would make for a good play, wouldn't it? Though we'd get cursed out terribly."
Martha chuckled, saying it would be interesting.
"You were always by our side..."
Runaan bowed her head slightly, saying thank you.
"What kind of items are in the demon king's castle? I bet it's overflowing with supplies we absolutely must have."
Dorian licked his lips at length, as if he was thinking of looting the demon king's castle after the Sephia Company.
"Now I understand the events that were beyond comprehension before."
Sheryl nodded calmly, saying all her questions had been answered.
"Raon. What's the name of the demon king with you?"
She looked at Raon, taking slow, deep breaths.
"It's Wrath, the Monarch of Wrath."
"Is he still by your side now?"
"Yes, he's on my shoulder."
"I see."
As soon as Sheryl heard that Wrath was on his shoulder, she stood up from her chair and stood in front of him.
"The Light Sword of Zieghart pays respects to Wrath, the Monarch of Wrath." (E/N: yes, using Rimmer title)
She drew her twin swords and performed Zieghart's formal sword salute.
"Thank you for helping Raon and the Light Wind division all this time."
Sheryl conveyed her gratitude with a noble aura, as if revealing her true feelings.
"Lady Sheryl?"
"Normally that good-for-nothing lazybones should do this, but since he's not here, I'm doing it in his stead."
She shook her head, saying she was conveying gratitude on behalf of Rimmer for saving his disciples.
"We'll join in as well."
Burren slowly stood up and positioned himself behind Sheryl.
"That's right. It's a bit late, but..."
Martha nodded and drew her sword.
"Yes. Absolutely..."
Runaan also gently opened her eyes and held Snow Flower reversed.
"It's the duty of both a merchant and a swordsman to pay respects."
Dorian grinned as he tapped the Zieghart emblem with his hand.
"Thank you for helping us all this time!"
Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian all stood behind Sheryl and performed a sword salute towards Wrath.
-Uh...
Wrath's lips trembled as if he never imagined receiving such gratitude from them.
-I-Is it okay for them to give such a greeting to me, a demon? If others find out about this...
'They won't care about that.'
-What?
'Everyone knows that what's important is the person, not the race.'
-Ah...
'Don't be so flustered.'
Raon smiled and pushed Wrath's back forward.
'It's partly thanks to you that they've grown so well.'
He nodded, telling Wrath to accept their greeting.
-...
Although Wrath had always claimed the Light Wind division as his subordinates, he seemed worried about the relationship between demons and humans. At the same time, he appeared to be unexpectedly moved by the gratitude of those he had helped without expecting anything in return.
-Ahem!
Wrath cleared his throat and turned his head abruptly.
-It's only natural for a king to help his subordinates! It wasn't much, so there's no need for such praise!
He waved his hand, saying it was no big deal. However, judging by his reddened cheeks and the moisture in his voice, he seemed genuinely touched.
-Now that the greetings are done, bring me some bead ice cream!
Wrath sniffled and gestured for them to bring ice cream.
"What did he say?"
Burren tilted his head, seeing Wrath's gesture.
"He says it's nothing compared to his abilities, so don't praise him."
This time, Raon relayed Wrath's words without changing them.
"As expected of a demon king! So magnanimous!"
Martha drew a big smile, saying she liked it.
"What does he look like? I'd like to see him once."
"Me too..."
Runaan also nodded, saying she wanted to see Wrath directly.
"He doesn't feel like a demon king. I was able to accept it easily when Raon said he was a spirit of the sea. I'm not sure if it's okay to say this, but he seems very cute..."
Burren laughed lightly, saying he looked like a clump of blue clouds.
-C-Cute clouds? Are your eyes already broken! I am the Monarch of Wrath! I have nothing to do with the word cute!
Wrath shouted loudly, telling them to take it back. His appearance of wagging his tail while saying not to call him cute looked like a small and cute animal like a rabbit or squirrel.
"I keep thinking about the demon king's castle..."
Dorian drooled while chuckling.
"What kind of items are there, and where? How much can I take..."
His eyes sparkled as if he was seriously considering looting the demon king's castle.
-Th-That guy is really no good!
Wrath's shoulders trembled as if he sensed danger.
-I must issue an entry ban to the demon king's castle! We absolutely must not let him in!
He ground his teeth, thinking he needed to add an entry ban, which he had previously only imposed on Lust and one other.
"One more thing."
Raon raised a finger with a smile.
"He says to bring bead ice cream?"
-Huh...?
Wrath turned his head as if startled.
-What's gotten into you?
He turned his head with moisture in his eyes, as if genuinely surprised.
'I just didn't want to ruin this atmosphere.'
This time, Raon relayed everything exactly as it was, wanting to see more of Wrath's touched appearance.
"Sigh, joking at a time like this, are you trying to carry on that person's will?"
Burren clicked his tongue, telling Raon not to imitate Rimmer.
"It's disgustingly unfunny."
Martha waved her hand, telling him to shut up if he was going to talk nonsense.
"Come on! What demon king eats ice cream! I won't fall for such lies either!"
Dorian snorted, telling Raon not to damage the demon king's dignity.
"Raon. You don't need to tell such lies. I can buy you ice cream if you want some."
Sheryl put away her twin swords, telling him to say if he wanted ice cream.
-Huh...?
Wrath blinked blankly.
-I-It's true, why don't you believe it! This king said it himself!
He shook his head, saying he didn't understand.
'I told you. Who would believe that the Monarch of Wrath, not the Monarch of Gluttony, would demand food and like ice cream?'
He lowered his hand, saying that breaking this stereotype would be even harder than convincing them that angels were evil.
-I-It's true! This king likes bead ice cream!
Wrath shouted that he liked ice cream with his chin trembling. He screamed and grabbed his head as if realizing that what he wanted most wasn't going to happen.
-Ungrateful rabble! I'll never help you again..."
"Let's go."
As Wrath was grumbling that he would never help them again while grinding his teeth, Runaan nodded.
"I'll buy it all for you."
Runaan said she would buy Wrath bead ice cream of all flavors while snorting.
-Ah, Ice Cream Girl!
Wrath sniffled as he looked at Runaan.
-As expected, only the Ice Cream Girl understands this king's heart!
He clenched his fist, saying he would take care of Runaan even if he died.
"Runaan. Don't be fooled."
Burren shook his head.
"It's all Raon playing a prank. Demon King, you're angry now, right?"
He frowned, saying Wrath was clenching his fist now.
-That eyeball bastard! He really needs to be taught a lesson! Give me back those eyes!
Wrath rushed at Burren, saying he needed to take his eyes back.
"Ah! Do you like me that much?"
Burren smiled brightly, seemingly interpreting Wrath's angry charge as a gesture of gratitude.
-How could I like you! I feel like I'm going to burst because of these idiots!
Wrath grabbed and shook his own head, saying he was too frustrated.
'This is fun.'
Raon, who had created this whole situation, watched Wrath's show with interested eyes.
'Should I do this again later?'
* * *
The next morning. Raon headed to the main gate of the Sephia Company with Borgos and the masters whose wounds had been treated. Adis seemed to have known they would leave in the morning, as he was already waiting for them outside.
"Are you leaving?"
Adis licked his lips, saying it seemed too soon for them to go.
"Yes."
Raon nodded as he massaged his neck.
"It would be best for everyone if we leave quickly, as we don't know when the Black Tower might start tracking us."
The Black Tower had targeted both Balrog and the Gray Hammer Guild. Staying here could bring harm not only to themselves but also to the Sephia Company, so returning quickly was the best option.
"Thank you for your consideration in many ways."
He bowed at the waist to Adis, thanking him for his help.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. You saved my old comrades."
Adis bowed his head in return, thanking him for saving Borgos and the masters of the Gray Hammer Guild.
"Adis..."
Borgos bit his lip, seemingly feeling Adis's sincerity.
"It's a shame to leave this place, but it can't be helped. Take care."
Adis smiled warmly, sending them off not as a merchant's farewell, but as a friend's.
"Hmph, if Zieghart's atmosphere isn't to my liking, I'll be back right away, so be prepared."
Borgos snorted and wrinkled his nose bridge.
"Of course. I'll have plenty of your favorite beer ready, Master Borgos."
Adis grinned, saying there would always be a place ready for him.
"Well, I'll be going then. Farewell greetings shouldn't be long anyway."
Borgos turned around, saying it was time to leave. Despite his words, his legs moved slowly, suggesting he didn't want to leave.
"Understood."
Raon nodded with a smile.
"Then I'll see you next time, President."
After bowing to Adis, he followed behind Borgos.
"Meeting the President, I've learned what a true merchant is. I've learned well that people come before money."
Burren made a respectful greeting, placing his hand on his chest as if expressing his true feelings.
"See you again, Dorian's dad."
"Goodbye..."
In contrast, Martha and Runaan made light but friendly farewells before turning their backs.
"Hey! You guys should speak more respectfully to adults!"
Burren chased after Martha and Runaan with a reddened face, scolding them.
"Father."
Dorian approached Adis after glancing back.
"Dorian."
Adis nodded briefly as he looked at his grown son.
"Are you enjoying your time in Zieghart?"
"It's a bit scary, but it's even more enjoyable and there's a lot to learn."
Dorian straightened his back. The child who used to run away in fear of his father was no longer visible.
"I see."
Adis nodded, with warmth in his calm gaze.
"I have a lot to do as the head of the company."
"Huh? Why are you suddenly saying that..."
"It means I have a long way to go before I can hand over this company to you. Go and experience more of the world until it's time for your formal successor training."
He smiled boldly, saying he would hold onto the position of company head until that journey was over.
"Ah..."
Dorian looked at Adis's warm eyes, then drew his sword and held it upside down. He performed Zieghart's sword salute, pressing the silver blade into the ground.
"I'll return next time having grown even more so as not to disappoint your expectations!"
"Alright. I'll be looking forward to it."
Adis nodded with a gentle smile.
"Yes, then!"
Dorian laughed as if he had never been serious, and followed after Raon. His appearance of turning back occasionally to wave his hand looked just like when he used to toddle after Adis as a child learning to walk.
"To think that boy already has such eyes..."
Adis's gaze softened as he watched Dorian's back, which had grown broader than his own.
"Children truly grow up fast."
"Indeed. It feels like just yesterday that Young Master Dorian was learning to walk."
Butler Ligwin nodded in agreement.
"Um, President."
As the two were lost in memories, the warehouse manager approached.
"If it's not important, could you tell me later? I'm in a good mood right now."
Adis shook his head, as if telling him not to disturb him, and gazed intently at the retreating figures of Dorian and Raon.
"It-It's important!"
The manager took another step forward, saying it was urgent.
"Hmm, go ahead then."
Adis nodded as if he had no choice.
"Young Master Dorian took items from the company!"
"Is that all? I already knew about that. We have enough supplies anyway..."
"No! While you two were focused on the Gray Hammer Guild masters, he completely cleaned us out early this morning!"
The manager showed hastily prepared documents, saying the problem was serious.
"If we let him go like this, we won't be able to conduct any transactions this month! The financial damage is astronomical..."
He spoke as if he was about to pass out, saying nothing was left.
"That little..."
Adis pointed a trembling finger at Dorian.
"Catch that thieving bastard!"