Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Grand Council
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The Grand Council could only be convened by the Head of the family.
Held for the first time in nearly twenty years, the Grand Council took place in a building of unparalleled grandeur.
The reason it had gone unused for so long was that the Head had been absent all this time.
Since even before I was born as Ray Rantzverger.
‘The atmosphere is incredibly heavy.’
The transcendent-level agents were exceptionally solemn.
They felt like undead shrouded in the aura of death.
It was likely because the Head had returned after a long absence, and no one knew the reason for the summons.
They must have felt like they were walking on thin ice.
*Step. Step.*
Only after the branch chiefs were seated was it the turn of the direct descendants to enter.
The first thing that caught my eye was the lavishly decorated seat of honor.
It seemed to be the seat where the Head would sit.
On the chairs of the second dais sat the highest-ranking agents, from the elders to the branch chiefs.
Below the dais were the seats for the other transcendent-level agents and the direct descendants.
The family didn't give special treatment even to direct descendants, so we had to sit in the lowest seats.
But as soon as I sat down, my eyes met with someone across from me.
‘Mitra?’
It was Mitra, the Acting Head's eldest daughter and a transcendent-level agent from the Western Continental Branch.
Her most striking features were her short-cropped white hair and her vivid red eyes.
With her spitting-image looks and outstanding abilities, she greatly resembled Kairam.
As our gazes locked for a moment, Mitra's expression changed.
Seeing her noticeable reaction, she must have heard the news that I had become a special-grade agent.
‘Interesting. It really pays to get ahead in life.’
With a self-deprecating laugh, I turned my head away first.
As I acted nonchalant, her eyes immediately narrowed.
However, Mitra soon looked toward the dais as if she had lost interest.
After a brief, awkward silence, the doors behind the Grand Council's dais opened, and someone appeared.
*Thump! Thump! Thump!*
Though they seemed like light footsteps, it felt as if a giant hammer was striking my very soul.
Everyone in the hall seemed overwhelmed by the energy carried in the sound waves.
By just a single person.
"It has been a while."
The figure who emerged from the darkness was a man with neatly tied, dark brown hair.
He was the supreme ruler of the Rantzverger family, Claude, the Black Sand.
Although he must have been well past middle age, the Head looked very young.
Like Kairam, he had surely undergone a complete physical transformation.
At once, everyone shot up from their seats.
Then, they bowed respectfully and exclaimed in unison.
"We greet the Head."
"Enough. Be seated."
Though dozens of transcendent-level agents were gathered, the initiative was firmly in Claude's hands.
He swept his impassive gaze over the assembly.
Whenever the Head's eyes fell upon them, the agents would slightly lower their heads.
Then, Claude's gaze passed over the other direct descendants and landed on me.
‘Hngh!’
For a moment, I nearly fell out of my chair.
An extreme sense of fear from an unknown source constricted my body and mind.
It didn't seem to be a mere hallucination, as even the Demonic Soul surged with aura to calm my body.
Thanks to clenching my fists and enduring, I avoided the disaster of collapsing.
‘I think I understand why no one could raise a hand against him.’
The Head had been away from the family for a full twenty years.
Yet, there had been no signs of a rebellion.
There had only been some power struggles among the transcendent-level agents.
The reason was simple.
It was because of the absolute martial power of Claude, the Black Sand.
‘It's empty. I can't feel anything.’
I thought I would be able to figure something out when I came face-to-face with the Head.
No matter how long he'd neglected them, they were still his children.
I was just an illegitimate son, but Kairam's three daughters had at least spent their childhood with Claude.
But Claude's eyes held no emotion as they swept over the direct descendants.
Not only that, but I couldn't sense even a sliver of his energy.
He was emptiness itself.
I felt a profound fear in the Head's unadorned, dry gaze.
I was finally beginning to understand what it meant to be unable to sense someone's presence even while looking right at them.
A moment later, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the hall.
It was the Head's voice.
"Let us begin."
"Yes."
It seemed he was finally about to reveal the reason he had summoned all the family's leaders.
The assembly stared at the dais with stern expressions.
The chief elder then brought a stack of documents and placed it on the Head's desk.
That seemed to be the agenda for this meeting.
"As expected, much has changed. I thank you all for leading the family well."
"You flatter us."
"Many things must have happened, but I intend to simply offer praise for recent events and move on."
*Swish.*
As Claude turned the first page of the documents, the tension in the room soared.
This was because the fate of the family's leadership would be indirectly decided here.
"First, Acting Head Kairam. You have protected the family steadfastly for a long time. I am well aware of your loyalty."
"You are too kind. I have only done my duty."
I couldn't help but marvel inwardly at Kairam's immediate response.
To think that old hag could answer so elegantly and demurely!
It was quite a refreshing shock.
‘What, did you get a new lease on life because your husband's back?’
I glanced up at the dais, slightly bewildered.
However, the transcendent-level agents showed no reaction to the Acting Head's behavior.
It seemed this was her usual way.
"Next... Ozma."
"Yes, Head."
As his name was called, the man who had been standing behind Claude stepped forward and bowed his head.
A middle-aged man with black hair and a prominent aquiline nose, Kairam's most trusted subordinate who always covered his entire body in a black robe.
It was the chief elder, Ozma.
The Head turned a page with a faint smile.
It was just a bright smile, but the assembly was engulfed in immense pressure.
Claude had clearly not emitted any energy.
He hadn't raised his aura or made any special movements.
Yet everyone in the hall could feel a dreadful killing intent.
‘He's overwhelming the atmosphere with his presence alone. That's the pinnacle state where murderous intent instantly becomes a palpable killing aura.’
Normally, ‘pinnacle’ was a word used to describe Kairam, the family's only Tier 1 assassin.
But Claude, the Black Sand, displayed a level that far surpassed hers.
With just the natural motion of turning a page.
Everyone in the Grand Council expected a storm to break out at any moment.
After all, it was true that Ozma had acted as one of the real powers behind the scenes.
He had been appointed chief elder after Claude's departure.
‘He must have done something wrong.’
But an unexpected remark came from the Head's mouth.
"You've done well, assisting the Acting Head and guiding the family. Well done. I shall grant you a separate reward."
"Th-thank you, Head."
Ozma, too, seemed not to have expected such praise, as he stammered slightly in his reply.
At that, the tense expressions of the transcendent-level agents eased slightly.
Frankly, there weren't many people left to criticize.
It seemed the purpose of this summons was truly just an inspection.
Rummaging through the documents, Claude mentioned major incidents and praised the agents for their hard work.
Of course, the direct descendants were included among them.
"Downfall, chief of the Western Continental Branch. And Mitra, commander of the Annihilation Squad."
"Yes, Head."
As her name was called, Mitra, who had been sitting across from me, stood up and looked toward the dais.
With a faint smile, Claude first addressed the Western branch chief.
"I heard the situation in Reilhash is unusual."
"Yes, that is correct. The civil war has intensified, requiring more frequent deployment of our agents."
"Even so, you've walked the tightrope well. You maintained neutrality while still securing profits."
"I merely followed the Head's teachings."
"Huhu. I shall reward you separately."
"Thank you."
While the Eastern and Central branches operated only within the Empire, the Western Continental Branch's activities were quite different.
They had to cover not only the Empire but also Reilhash and the Corint Kingdom.
"Mitra, I have heard much about your achievements. You have done well."
"...Thank you."
As the performance of the Western Continental Branch was good, the role of the Annihilation Squad's commander naturally grew larger.
He praised her briefly and moved on, but the atmosphere in the hall had become quite charged.
A single word from Claude could make someone the likely successor to the Headship.
The expressions of the transcendent-level agents who supported Mitra brightened in an instant.
It was certain that she was a step ahead of Wendy, who had recently messed up badly.
"This seems to conclude the regular report."
And with that, the Head's commendations seemed to be over.
Now it was time to point out flaws or announce personnel changes.
After all, the internal appointments that had changed during his absence were unlikely to be perfectly to Claude's liking.
But the Head's empty gaze turned to a place no one had expected.
"...Ah, I almost forgot this."
After a brief pause, Claude unfolded the last sheet of paper and muttered.
"Raise your head. Ray Rantzverger."