The Gold Peak Squad's Provocation
Raon approached Dorian and checked his condition.
"You've been beaten quite soundly."
"Y-yes, you know that well."
Dorian smiled awkwardly.
"You hit me right in the face like this, how could I not know?"
Seeing the bruises, it was clear they weren't from weapons but from fists and stomps.
-Tsk, this subordinate of the King got beaten up and came back! How pathetic!
Wrath gnashed his teeth like a brother seeing his sibling get beaten.
"I-I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Raon frowned. Dorian was timid but had a sturdy build. Not being able to control his body well suggested that even aura had been added to the punches.
"D-Dorian oppa!"
"I don't know who you are, but you were quite rough."
Yua covered her mouth, and Roen narrowed his eyebrows.
"I'll take care of Dorian-ssi."
Roen used aura to disperse the residual aura in Dorian's body, and the twisted expression slowly smoothed out.
'Thinking about it...'
Raon turned around. It seemed like there was one more person besides Roen and Yua, but he couldn't see him now. It was probably a misperception when he entered the state of self-absorption.
"Uuu..."
Dorian let out a groan of pain even while being treated.
"Please endure a little longer. We need to remove the aura embedded inside to recover quickly."
Roen, despite his gentle voice, began to erase the oppressive aura by exerting massive aura to suppress Dorian's internal organs.
"Who is it?"
After confirming Dorian's complexion was recovering, Raon looked at Burren.
"Garon Zieghart."
"Garon Zieghart?"
"The leader of the Gold Peak Squad under Jinmu Hall."
"Jinmu Hall Gold Peak Squad..."
It was the name seen in Judiel's notebook. It was written that he was the second son of Balder Zieghart, older brother of Rayden, a young master of 30 years old leading the Gold Peak Squad.
"Is it because of me?"
Raon clicked his tongue while looking at Dorian. Upon hearing that he was from Jinmu Hall, it seemed he could guess why they did such a thing.
It was clearly a revenge for beating Rayden and getting the Jinmu Hall banned from activities.
"Of course, my influence is the biggest, but it's not just that."
Burren shook his head with an irritated expression.
"It's not just that?"
Raon narrowed his eyes. The ambiguous words made it seem like it was not only him.
"After the duel with Rayden and the Jinmu Hall's one-year activity ban, the recently established Gold Peak Squad's activities also stopped. Without receiving rewards for missions or building reputation."
Burren pointed to the Jinmu Hall in the distance and continued.
"On the other hand, the Light Wind Squad wiped out the entire White Blood Cult branch in the first mission, saved hostages, and built enough reputation for the entire family, no, the central continent. They're probably fuming."
"So it's not just me..."
"Yes. They're targeting the entire Light Wind Squad."
"Now I get it."
Raon smiled coldly. They probably attacked Dorian because they were jealous of the Light Wind Squad that had surpassed them. They would be most furious at the one who caused that, himself.
"Those idiots. They used the same method as Rayden."
"No, it's different from Rayden. They..."
Burren told Raon about the incidents at the restaurant.
"They're disgusting."
Raon clenched his fist. Honestly, there was no way to punish them. They couldn't say anything about them sitting in the restaurant, and if he said they hit Dorian because of the stain on his precious clothes and the fist came out unconsciously, that would be it.
It wouldn't be a big punishment from the law department, just a few days of reflection. Reporting it wouldn't mean anything.
"You want a duel?"
"Yes. I wanted a duel between the swordsmen of the Light Wind Squad and the Gold Peak Squad."
"It means they want to take our reputation."
They were probably trying to swallow the reputation of the Light Wind Squad that crushed the White Blood Cult and defeated the apostles. The way they provoked was much dirtier than Rayden's.
"What are you going to do?"
"I have to."
"You decided that quickly?"
"It's a good opportunity."
He wanted to check how far the acquired Supreme Harmony Footwork could go, and it was fortunate. Garon, the leader of the Gold Peak Squad, was at the beginning of Master, so it was a perfect time to test it.
'I won't be careless.'
The 7th Apostle fought ignoring him and ended up like that. He wanted to properly beat a Master who doesn't get careless.
"The Gold Peak Squad is strong. Although the group itself isn't old, the affiliated warriors are at least one step above us."
Burren narrowed his nostrils as if it was difficult.
"You're right, Burren young master. Since the Gold Peak Squad is under Jinmu Hall, there are no new recruits. It will be hard to beat them with the Light Wind Squad."
Roen, who had finished treating Dorian, stood up and let out a low sigh.
"Yes. 'Current' Light Wind Squad will have a hard time winning."
Raon smiled faintly. In Judiel's report, the Gold Peak Squad was ranked one step above the Light Wind Squad.
"However, this is also an opportunity for the Light Wind Squad."
"You mentioned earlier that opportunity is..."
"Because originally, having enemies outside is necessary to grow quickly."
"Ah..."
Roen's eyes widened as he understood the meaning.
"The Light Wind Squad will use this opportunity as a stepping stone to rise one step higher."
Since he received the martial arts manual from Glenn, it was the perfect time to grow everyone's martial prowess one step.
"And..."
Raon looked at the bruises all over Dorian's body and raised a cool aura.
'I have to repay the price for touching my pocket.'
-Yeah! Crush all the bastards who hit the King's subordinates!
It was a rare moment when Raon's and Wrath's minds aligned.
***
Jinmu Hall Gold Peak Squad headquarters.
Garon was leaning against the sofa in an eerie room with dozens of swords stuck in the wall.
"Seeing the Light Wind Squad guys at a loss for what to do is refreshing."
Tekri, the vice-leader of the Gold Peak Squad who had his foot stepped on and chin punched at the restaurant, laughed wickedly.
"Seeing that we can't even respond to them, it must be luck that we handled this mission."
"Yeah, probably."
Garon nodded with a smirk. Those young kids couldn't have broken the large branch of the White Blood Cult and defeated the apostles in their first mission by skill alone.
"Judging by Burren's immature reaction, Raon guy probably isn't anything special either. But..."
Tekri clicked his tongue and continued.
"The Light Wind Squad has Rimer. How should we deal with that monster?"
"Monster?"
"A monster who once fought right next to the lord as the light of Zieghart, no matter how much injured, we have to think of countermeasures, don't we?"
"Against a ruined gambler?"
Garon pulled up the corners of his mouth thinly.
"A bug that broke mana circuits and dantian, just wasting time playing mahjong. Not my opponent."
"But even if only the rumor that he fought the 10th Apostle..."
"How did the rumor that Rimer fought the 10th Apostle spread? It's the Light Wind Squad. No one properly saw it. Whether they were equal, barely survived, or begged for life in a pathetic way, we don't know."
"Ah..."
"That doesn't mean being careless."
Garon pushed off the sofa and stood up. From him, sharp and solemn aura bloomed, and the swords in the room started to cry out simultaneously.
Uuuuuuung!
As if he was commanding, he extended his hand, and the size and flow of the swords changed, and the swords' orchestra rang out.
"Even if Rimer recovers to Master level, I have enough confidence to win, so I accepted the challenge."
After Garon stopped commanding, silence returned to the grand sword hall where the swords were spread out.
"You understand, right?"
"Y-yes!"
Tekri clicked his teeth and nodded.
"Then what about you?"
"Yes?"
"Whether careless or lucky, Raon defeating the 7th Apostle is true. Can you beat him?"
Garon slightly lifted his chin.
"If you think you can't beat him, withdraw. Since I will handle that guy too, it's fine."
"H, I can do it. I will win no matter what method I use."
Tekri shook his head quickly. A burning light flickered in his eyes.
"No matter what method? It seems worth recruiting."
Garon nodded as if he liked it.
"However, if they don't accept the duel, what will you do?"
"We have to go back."
He stroked his long torn mouth and laughed wickedly.
"To make them unable to refuse, make it rougher."
***
Raon left Dorian with Burren and headed to the medical ward where Rimer was hospitalized.
When he opened the door, Rimer was lying on the bed humming a cheerful tune. Being hit by lightning and still humming, he's a positive person.
"You seem to be in good spirits."
Raon smiled faintly and placed the fruits and cookies that Sylvia had brought next to the bed.
"Your complexion is better than usual."
"I'm dying of boredom just lying here. Is that good? In the hospital, no matter how much you sleep, you feel sleepy and tired!"
"That's how it was anyway."
"Tsk. Idiot!"
Rimer couldn't hide the smile on his lips despite the words. It seemed he was enjoying sleeping freely without working.
"Is this mine?"
"Mother took care of it."
"Kya, as expected! The only sun in this cold land."
He smiled brightly and took an apple from the fruit basket and ate it.
"I have something to tell you."
"What?"
"I just learned a moment ago that the Jinmu Hall Gold Peak Squad..."
Raon told Rimer everything about the provocation from the Gold Peak Squad.
"Tch, what a nasty way."
Rimer spat out the apple seed he had finished eating and frowned.
"Is Dorian okay?"
"Roen-ssi treated him."
"If it's that person, I can trust it."
He nodded and said it would be fine.
"What are you going to do?"
"What do you want to do?"
Rimer asked back.
"I think it's good to accept the duel."
"Why?"
"Currently, the Light Wind Squad is receiving evaluations beyond martial strength. And that is..."
"Because of you."
"It's embarrassing but true. So I want to raise the Light Wind Squad's strength to match that evaluation. I received the martial arts manual from the lord, and since there are enemies outside, it will be a good opportunity for growth."
"That's right."
Rimer immediately nodded.
"I agree, so do as you like."
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"What if I lose?"
"What?"
He shrugged as if what was the problem.
"You guys are young. Being young means having opportunities to challenge, fail, and rise again. There are people who don't have that opportunity, but you are lucky that the family is watching over you."
"Um..."
"Do it. Whether you win or lose in a fight, you'll become stronger, and there will be things to learn."
Rimer continued in a rare serious atmosphere. Seeing it this way, he seemed different.
"However, I won't do it."
When he thought there was this side too, his voice suddenly lightened.
"Yes?"
"That duel. It's between squad leaders and leaders from the beginning. I won't fight."
Rimer chewed the cookie and continued.
"I have seniority. I can't fight with such brats. So you do it."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes. I know that many people don't believe that you defeated the 7th Apostle in the family."
"Yes."
Raon nodded. Because Rimer often boasted about his name, many direct and collateral relatives said it was fabricated.
"If you defeat Garon this time, it will be a good opportunity to shut their mouths. It will also be a great achievement."
"Great achievement?"
"Defeating a Master as a Master is not a special thing. But defeating a Master twice with an Expert's body is a great achievement that will grow your soul and give you a place in the family."
Rimer's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
'It's not just that.'
If he wins against Garon, many stats will rise again.
If he wins reputation, duel rewards, and stats, there would be more than a few things to gain.
"Then I'll handle Garon."
"Seeing you accept it so easily, it seems you intended to catch him from the beginning."
"You're sharp when it counts."
Raon laughed. He didn't acquire the Supreme Harmony Footwork, but he knew he was targeting Garon first.
"When it counts? I've lived eating sharp eyes."
"Why do such people always go to the gambling house and get fleeced?"
"T, that's, um..."
Embarrassed, Rimer closed his mouth and lowered his head.
"Anyway, since the leader agrees, I'll accept the duel."
"Y, yes."
Rimer smiled awkwardly and drew a circle with his finger.
"Leader, where did you get hit by lightning? The weather hasn't been cloudy lately."
"To put it simply, it's long. This time, I almost cried because I was really unjustly hit. I didn't do anything and got hit, so I..."
"Hit? Did you get beaten like Dorian?"
-The ear guy is weak, so he deserves to be hit. Actually, he should be hit more!
Wrath giggled knowing who Rimer was hit by.
"Huh? W, who hit me! Where's the person to hit me."
"But just now..."
"That's what I mean!"
He shook his head violently and changed the subject.
"If it's decided, go and say you'll accept the duel."
"Then no."
"Huh?"
"They will come back again."
This is eye for an eye. Even if accepting the duel, I won't think of answering normally.
"My pocket. No, since Dorian got hit, I have to make them pay for that."
***
Raon didn't mention the duel with the Gold Peak Squad to the Light Wind Squad. He just helped with training and acquiring the martial arts and spent time as usual.
After 5 days passed, before Rimer returned from the medical ward, Dorian came running with a start.
"L, leader!"
Dorian's eyes were a mix of anger and fear as he shook his fist.
"T, they came again! They sat in the restaurant and caused a ruckus!"
"No patience."
Raon laughed. As expected, the Gold Peak Squad guys couldn't endure for a week and appeared again after 5 days. It was a protest to accept the duel or admit defeat.
"H, what should I do? The leader hasn't returned yet..."
"For now, it's better to wait until the leader comes."
Dorian and Burren were biting their lips anxiously because they didn't know about accepting the duel.
"Let's go."
"Going like this?"
"We have no countermeasures!"
"It's fine. There are ways."
Raon smiled as if there was nothing to worry about and headed to the restaurant.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
"Hurry and bring what I ordered!"
"What are you doing without receiving orders at the restaurant!"
"S, sorry. That's because the ingredients..."
From the door, the noisy voices of the inspectors and the dying voice of the staff came.
"They're demanding dishes that can't be done here. They're pressuring us by touching the restaurant staff."
"Whoever taught you, the brats are doing it properly."
Raon laughed and opened the door.
About ten inspectors in gray uniforms were sitting here and there, and the staff were trembling not knowing what to do.
The tables and chairs were also broken or overturned, making a mess.
"Ah, I want to eat. Bring it quickly!"
"What are you doing, not even a statue!"
The Gold Peak Squad inspectors were ignoring those looking at them and staring at the staff.
"T, that guy. The big guy who put his legs on the table. That guy hit me."
Dorian pointed to the vice-leader of the Gold Peak Squad like a child calling his dad.
"Wait here."
Raon nodded and headed to the serving line. He turned around with a full food tray while humming.
"Eh?"
"Huh!"
"T, that crazy..."
The Gold Peak Squad opened their mouths wide, not knowing how to eat in such a situation.
Raon, holding the tray, went to the somewhat intact table, pretended to trip, and slammed the tray full of food on the vice-leader's face.
Paaah!
Despite the tray being mixed with food, the shock was great, and the vice-leader's head swayed greatly.
"Ah, sorry."
Raon clasped his hands seeing the stew and meat oil dripping from the vice-leader's face and uniform.
"This bastard..."
When the vice-leader stood up with murderous intent, Raon instead walked up to him and smiled.
"Shall I hit too?"
Raon's red eyes flashed fiercely.
"Try it."