"Interesting," Ritter murmured, swirling his wine glass. His blood-red eyes narrowed slightly. "Is this for my entertainment?"
The CP0 agent in the golden mask inclined slightly. "The Five Elders stated that true nobility does not need to assert its superiority by trampling on others."
"How fascinating," Ritter replied lazily, lying back on the soft cloud bed. "Hearing that from a Celestial Dragon is refreshing. I must admit… they know how to enjoy themselves. No wonder everyone curses the Celestial Dragons, yet everyone secretly wants to be one."
Shanks swirled his own wine glass. "Perhaps they just want to prove they aren't all ruthless tyrants?"
Ritter let out a cold laugh. "Hah. Tigers that hide their fangs are far more dangerous."
Suddenly, Ritter rose from the cloud bed, blood mist swirling behind him like a cloak. "I think I'll take a walk."
The golden-masked CP0 immediately stepped forward. "Mist Lord, your resting area "
"What?" Ritter's crimson eyes glinted dangerously. "Is there any place in Mary Geoise I cannot go?"
The air froze instantly. Shanks set down his glass and rested his hand on the hilt of Griffin.
The CP0's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "O-Of course not… it's just that "
Ritter walked straight for the door.
It was no exaggeration: Ritter knew Mary Geoise intimately. Having been enthusiastically invited in many times before, he had once been gifted more than a few treasures during those visits.
After winding through several ornate corridors, sharp, piercing curses echoed in the distance.
Heehee!
"Move, you lowly slaves! Faster!" a Celestial Dragon wearing a fishbowl-shaped helmet barked. Zambaron Rizzan Steel Saint rode atop a battered slave, whipping him mercilessly. "I'm going to the hot springs! Who says I can't pass through here?!"
When he spotted Ritter's party, his bloated face beneath the glass helmet turned bright red. "You CP0 dogs! How dare you bring outsiders " His gaze landed on Ritter, and he froze. "Which family's Celestial Dragon are you? I've never seen you before."
Ritter studied the fool with amusement, then turned to the CP0 agents. "Ah, so the area is blocked off… that must've taken a lot of effort."
Zambaron Rizzan Steel Saint trembled with fury. "How dare you! Just because you say it's blocked, it is? I am "
"Swish!"
The blood mist shot out and coiled around his neck, hoisting him into the air.
"Have you ever left Mary Geoise? Seen the outside world, you fool?" Ritter asked. "Breathing the same air as those lowly peasants?"
"Oh? Never left, huh? I thought I was fairly famous… yet you don't recognize me? Looks like you need a beating."
"You… dare…!" Zambaron Rizzan Steel Saint struggled midair as his fishbowl helmet shattered. "My esteemed uncle is Zambaron V. Nasuro Steel Saint "
The blood whip cracked sharply. Zambaron's personal CP0 bodyguards didn't even scream before being shredded into bloody fragments.
"You… do you know who I am?! Celestial Dragons are forbidden from attacking one another! I'll report you to the Five Elders!" he yelled while spinning helplessly in the air.
"Smack!"
The blood whip lashed across his bloated face, tearing the skin and leaving it raw.
"The first lash," Ritter said deliberately, "no hidden meaning. I just wanted to hit you."
"Ahhhh!" Zambaron screamed like a slaughtered pig. "I'll have my uncle "
"Smack!"
"Second lash. And your so-called uncle… can you even call him that? Illiterate."
The whip struck his back, tearing his luxurious robes to reveal pale, flabby flesh underneath. Zambaron flailed like a fish pulled onto the deck, twisting violently in midair.
The golden-masked CP0 agents stood frozen, their expressions hidden, daring not to intervene. Ritter's lashes were clearly not intended to kill, and these were not Zambaron's personal bodyguards anyway the latter had already been eliminated by Ritter moments ago.
"Smack! Smack! Smack!"
Three more lashes landed on his arms, thighs, and rear. Zambaron's screams changed pitch, resembling a castrated rooster's wail.
"These three lashes," Ritter said, flicking the blood whip, "same as the first. Just wanted to hit you."
"Now, spin, little top."
"Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!"
Zambaron spun so fast it seemed sparks flew. Suspended in midair, blood covering him, he could only emit weak groans. Ritter waved his hand, and the blood mist slammed him violently to the ground.
"Get lost," Ritter said from above. "Tell your financial god-uncle " The blood mist formed a grotesque, grinning face in the air. " that Mist Lord Ritter sends his regards."
Zambaron slid across the floor, dragging a long crimson streak behind him.
Ritter adjusted his clothing, feeling refreshed and satisfied. Indeed, visiting Mary Geoise demanded one key activity: disciplining a Celestial Dragon. Ritter highly recommended it. The effect was only slightly less satisfying than outright killing one.
Why hadn't he killed Zambaron? Simple. Ritter was a guest etiquette mattered. Ritter understood manners.
Clearly, he had stirred up trouble intentionally, and the Celestial Dragon's own stupidity had obliged him.
Without even glancing back, Ritter turned to the golden-masked CP0. "Now, take me to see the Five Elders." Blood mist coalesced in his palm into a crimson long blade. "Any tricks, and they'll be next."
The CP0 swallowed nervously. "U-Understood, Lord. Please follow me."
Shanks hurried to keep up, lowering his voice. "Big brother, are you deliberately provoking them?"
At that moment, another CP0 approached the golden-masked woman and whispered something.
"Mist Lord, Lord Shanks, the Five Elders are prepared to meet you. Please "
"Tell them," Ritter interrupted, "to wait. We'll go tomorrow. Today…" He gestured toward the dessert cart that had just been brought in. "We taste this first."
The woman's mask seemed on the verge of cracking. "B-But "
"What?" Ritter's eyes flashed with blood-red light. "Not welcome? When I asked earlier why we couldn't go now, you told me it was for apologies. I just disciplined a Celestial Dragon, and now they're available? No apologies needed?"
"…Understood." The woman bowed deeply and withdrew.
Shanks laughed heartily. "Big brother, you're going to drive them mad!"
Ritter lazily stretched. "Why rush? Let them wait. After all…" He glanced meaningfully at the towering spires of power in the distance. "The best performance is always saved for last."