***

As if firmly embedded in titles, Sevi talked about titles all day until we arrived at Nokentoria Castle.

“When I went to the capital last year, people cheered for the title of elite troops. I was really jealous of that.”

Sebi would be the only one who envied or cared about this. I smiled and added a word.

“But if you get a title at this performance report, you won’t be able to hear cheers this year.”

“But I’ll be able to listen to it next year.”

Sevi spoke cheerfully.

There shouldn’t be a performance report meeting next year…Well, there should be many more opportunities for titles to be called.

I laughed, not wanting to dare to put a damper on his spirit.

Thus, when we returned to the castle, we were welcomed by the main corps troops of Robur, who had come one step ahead of us.

“Hey, when did our kids grow this much?”

Robur stroked Nova and Julieta’s hair. Unlike before, her hand went up quite high.

“Nova’s almost shoulder to shoulder with me now, though, isn’t he? You don’t know how tall you have to be to go around the dungeon alone, do you? This… Isn’t my third-largest position in the Black Knights at risk?”

“Haha, there’s still a long way to go.”

Nova scratched the back of his neck shyly.

However, Nova and Robur’s shoulder heights were similar.

Robur picked Nova’s shoulder and spoke cheerfully.

“You still have a long way to go. Okay. You’re going to the level measurement room, right? Let’s go together.”

“Okay!”

As such, the special unit and the main unit flocked to the measuring room.

Everyone was amazed to see all of the special forces exceed level 60. Robur whispered quietly in my ear.

“You didn’t make them do anything weird, did you? Like giving them drugs…”

“Haha, no way.”

“Otherwise, you’re not a supporting wizard, but a psychological wizard. You had them brainwashed and bang, no questions asked.”

“If I was, I could have turned them more fiercely than now, but it’s a shame.”

I clicked my tongue sincerely. Robur laughed, and the special unit, who overheard our story, shuddered.

“Not even a human being… As expected, Tyrant…”

Oh, yeah. I forgot about the title for a moment.

When the level measurement of the special unit was over and everyone enjoyed their leisure before going to the performance report, I immediately headed to Meyer.

“Jun!”

Meyer welcomed me with a big smile.

I couldn’t get used to the pink atmosphere of a man dressed in black from head to toe.

Where are you going to hug?

Look at the incident you caused!

I was angry, pushing Meyer’s chest to hug me.

“I heard my title. Without telling me!”

“I was definitely going to tell you last time.”

Meyer replied calmly as if he knew I would do this.

“You didn’t have to apply so urgently. I thought I might have a different title because I lived a different life than the first round, but Tyrant…”

I didn’t like the title of Gray Rose, but it was normal even though it was cringe-worthy!

Just the thought of the emperor calling me Tyrant at the performance briefing session makes me dizzy. I touched my head.

However, Meyer brazenly made excuses as if there was a reason for everything.

“But I had to hurry. This time, you…”

“Aha.”

“… It was obvious that you were going to get all of the special forces to level 60 this time so that you and the special forces could receive their titles at the performance report. Still, you’re their superior officer, and there are procedures to follow…”

So he gave me the title one step first? I had no choice but to shake my head for unexpected reasons.

Meyer hesitated because I didn’t look very pleased.

“And… When you go to the capital, you get cheered with a title. Maybe this is the last time.”

I thought Sevi would be the only one who cared about that, but he wasn’t.

It was ridiculous, but I clicked my tongue.

“The cheers from the title are received more when you come back from defeating the Demon King than when you go to the capital.”

“But it’s still different.”

“Anyway, it’s strangely delicate…”

I sighed and sat back down on the couch.

Meyer steadily pushed a platter of canapés, cheese, olives, thinly sliced ham, muscats, and other assorted morsels in front of me. Then he pulled out a bucket of wine filled with ice.

He knew exactly what I liked.

It was the perfect setting to match my mood, and I felt much less jagged.

I moistened my lips with the drink Meyer had poured for me and let out a small whimper.

“If you want to give a title quickly, there is also Gray Rose, which is my first title. Please also consider His Majesty’s difficulties in giving me a title like Tyrant.”

“I thought Tyrant suited you better than Gray Rose.”

Meyer clenched his chin, staring at me slowly. I frowned at the seriousness of his gaze.

“It suits me? I think that I showed exemplary behavior as a Vice Commander…”

Before I finished talking, Meyer burst into laughter quietly. I pursed my lips and mumbled to myself at his impossible manner of laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Nothing. It’s just, I thought you were free to believe so.”

“Actually, it’s true.”

“Okay, okay.”

Nodding at my uneven answer, his eyes seemed to be bent, and he didn’t agree with what I said.

“Sometimes, you’re really arbitrary.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you, Commander…”

What the hell is a man like a selfish, childish boy saying to me…

I looked at Meyer with wrinkles between my brows, and when our eyes met, Meyer laughed again.

He laughed very well indeed.

When I told him to raise his level while we were separated, he just laughed.

I clicked my tongue low.

***

Countess Nerus calmly looked at the strange visitor who suddenly came to her estate and brought up a rude suggestion.

“I don’t know why I should join forces with you. If I have to express it… You’re like gold dust. You’re shiny, but that’s about it.”

It was Fabian who was rated as gold dust by Countess Nerus. Fabian continued calmly regardless of Countess Nerus’ devaluation remarks.

“But gold dust has the qualities to eventually become gold.”

“I know a lot about you. Fabian Ignis. I’ve heard that the upward momentum of your new expedition was quite strong, but recently it has suddenly fallen due to the departure of your members? It’s a shame, isn’t it? In the past, it would have been enough to hold your hand.”

Countess Nerus clicked her tongue. Fabian was of no use to her.

Fabian stared at Countess Nerus, his blue eyes shining incredulously.

When faced with that gaze, even the sly Countess Nerus became somewhat inconvenienced.

Countess Nerus scoffed inwardly. Seeing that she, who also dealt with Tragula, felt threatened, it seemed that his level was much higher than what was reported.

Fabian still only smiled smugly.

“As expected of Countess Nerus. You know everything. You’re the one who had your eye on the Black Knight of the heavens.”

“…It seems that you have quite a lot of information. So, are you trying to threaten me with that? Even if it’s meaningless.”

“What do you mean threaten? I just want to build a friendly relationship with the Countess.”

Fabian said so and took a step closer to Countess Nerus.

Then he spoke with a serious face.

“I don’t know if the Countess believes me, but I’m the chosen one.”

“Ha, the chosen one!”

She thought he was a curious expedition member, but it turned out that he was a scammer. Countess Nerus grinned.

Despite her ridicule, Fabian spoke seriously without changing his expression.

“I know the future with that evidence.”

“I’m sorry if you thought it was a funny joke, but I want to tell you it was very boring. It’s okay. There’s nothing to say. So much for wasting my time. Unlike you, I’m a busy person.”

“When, where, what dungeons appear, and what kind of demons will appear in those dungeons!”

As soon as Countess Nerus was about to turn around, Fabian shouted. He was so powerful that Countess Nerus had no choice but to stop and look at Fabian.

Fabian glared at Countess Nerus with burning eyes. His gaze went beyond Countess Nerus and was filled with hostility towards others.

Fabian continued to talk as if he were chewing.

“… I know roughly everything, but our expedition team lacks manpower. And Countess Nerus has enough manpower. Of course, aren’t you Big Mother?”

“…”

“You have a hobby of investment, so you’ll know well. Where dividends are high, there is always a risk.”

Countess Nerus’s head turned quickly.

Tragula had just betrayed her as well, and after the purge within the Black Knights had uprooted the three small spies she had planted in the Black Knights.

Trying to recruit others into the Black Knights was not easy.

She didn’t completely believe Fabian’s story, but her instincts were screaming at her to not let it slip by.

He could see the future. He knew information about dungeons… That was a tremendous advantage.

To the extent that the Fabian expedition could hit the Black Knights and become the best expedition if raised well.

Then, it was necessary to check the “information” once. Unlike before, Countess Nerus said with a quite benevolent and generous smile.

“Okay. Let’s talk about the number of people you need.”

When Countess Nerus’ permission was granted, a bright smile spread around Fabian’s mouth.

It was the smile of a coward who would do anything mean to win and build pride.