"Master Zeno received a bounty from the Police Department to handle a terrorist called 'Clown' in the neighboring Mimbo Republic. Tsubone is responsible for driving him to the airport and managing Master Zeno's daily affairs."
At 4:30 AM, Roy finished his shower and sat at the dining table, chewing a beef burger while listening to Gotoh report today's itinerary. This time he specifically requested well-done.
"The chef who served you medium-rare has been dismissed, young master. Please rest assured." Gotoh continued reporting. "I had someone book tickets the day before yesterday. After meeting Dr. Bennett at the Provincial Central Hospital in the city today, we can immediately board an airship heading to Heaven's Arena."
"Tell me about that 'Clown.'" Roy interrupted Gotoh, suddenly remembering someone. That person was skilled at growing apples and also dressed as a clown, just without a red nose.
"He killed a boatload of people!"
"What boat?"
"An amusement park pirate ship." Gotoh pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his expression grave. "According to information provided by the Mimbo Republic Police Department, nearly two hundred people died because of him. This news even made it onto television. The young master only needs to search online to see it."
With that many dead, if it still didn't make TV, Roy could only say Mimbo Republic's upper echelons were corrupt beyond measure.
"What else?"
"Besides us, the Hunter Association is also paying attention to this matter."
"Not surprising." Roy washed down the last piece of burger with milk, pulling out a napkin to methodically wipe his mouth. "If the Police Department is willing to pay for specialists, they can hire whoever they want."
The Hunter Association was also a famously violent organization. The anti-terrorism division led by three-star Terrorist Hunter Botobai wasn't for show either. But these matters had nothing to do with them.
"Pack up, let's go." Draining the last of his milk, Roy stood up. All daily necessities, including plane tickets and hotels, were left to Gotoh. He could relax, grabbing Yukigakure from the sword rack and heading out.
"Young master, airports have restrictions. Controlled weapons aren't allowed." Gotoh reminded him in time, handing Roy a wooden walking stick prepared in advance.
Roy looked at him suspiciously, reaching to pull—drawing out a cane sword.
Gotoh quickly explained. "Young master, don't underestimate this cane. It's entirely made of ironwood, with a hardness no less than refined steel, and it's not on the airport's restricted list."
A workaround for the rules? Roy wielded the cane sword, finding it actually heavier than Yukigakure. The blade bore jet-black flame patterns—decent for emergency use.
The cane sword returned to its sheath, transforming back into an ordinary walking stick in Roy's hand. The young man led Gotoh, who carried two suitcases, through quiet corridors to the castle's main entrance. Seeing one person, he stopped.
Luke held his hands folded over his abdomen, seemingly having waited a long time. Seeing Roy, he bowed in salute. "The master said training can't be neglected even when away. The young master's missed days must be made up upon return."
"How to make them up?"
"Doubled."
"Oh."
Roy stepped past Luke. Luke bowed even lower, stealing a glance from the corner of his eye. The young man exited the main entrance, turning back to look at the second floor.
Before the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the second-floor bedroom, a tall man stood bare-chested, silver hair draped behind him, gently swaying a wine glass in hand, quietly watching him. Behind him emerged a slender hand, moving down along his chest. The man's body visibly stiffened, the wine in his goblet no longer swaying.
"Tch."
Busy. Everyone is busy. Being busy is good.
"Gotoh, let's go." Withdrawing his gaze, Roy turned and left. Gotoh quickly followed. Passing the garden, they saw a head under a parasol, sleeping peacefully. Suddenly the head spoke—
"Two minutes fifteen seconds. I passed too." Illumi opened his eyes.
"Congratulations." Roy didn't look back, giving him only a view of his retreating form, footsteps never stopping.
Gotoh fell behind, one hand gripping each suitcase, nodding to Illumi. Master and servant, one ahead and one behind, quickly vanished into Kukuroo Mountain.
All of Kukuroo Mountain was Zoldyck territory. Only the sun in the sky and sunlight blocked by parasols didn't belong to the Zoldycks.
Illumi watched Roy leave, seeing clearly—his aura was again that "distant and detached, seeming to care yet not caring, always maintaining space between himself and others" kind of cold gray.
'Next time, when you return, I definitely won't be shocked unconscious again.'
Roy's silhouette disappeared. Illumi simply closed his eyes again. One wall away in a dim yellow room, the old man continued sleeping, muttering something crude about food before rolling over and farting.
About ten minutes later, Zebro returned from the bathroom to find Roy standing with Gotoh before the Testing Gate. He hurriedly quickened his pace, showing off his massive biceps.
"Young master, don't rush. I'll open the door for you."
"No need." Roy casually tossed the cane sword to Gotoh, rolled up his sleeves, stepped forward two paces, pressed both palms against the Testing Gate, and pushed hard. One door, two doors, three doors—the Testing Gate opened wide, pushed open three full layers. The remaining fourth layer trembled slightly but remained tightly sealed.
Four doors—thirty-two tons of absolute strength, equivalent to seventy adult men. In terms of stats, that meant seventy constitution points. A long road ahead.
Roy wisely gave up. Not discouraged, not dejected, having anticipated this, he exhaled lightly, took the cane from Gotoh, and walked straight out.
A black sedan was already parked at the gate. A hundred meters beyond the mountain gate's perimeter, a red tour bus was stopped. Before the tour bus, a crowd surrounded it with cameras, frantically photographing the Testing Gate.
Suddenly seeing the gate open with a handsome young man walking out, followed by a tall butler carrying luggage, everyone froze! Someone shouted, "That's the Zoldyck eldest young master!"
A burst of intense light erupted, so bright Roy couldn't open his eyes.
"Gotoh, isn't your timing a bit off?"
"My apologies, young master." Gotoh quickly signaled the driver to open the car door, letting Roy sit inside before opening the trunk to store luggage and climbing in.
"They're just common people admiring the young master's appearance. If the young master is displeased, I'll go kill them all right now!"
Stop talking about killing so casually. Roy spread his arms, leaning back into the soft seat, saying lazily, "Forget it; it's not the first time anyway. Just pick out those guys selling my photos online and deal with them properly."
"Yes." A cold gleam flashed in Gotoh's eyes.
The young master was kind-hearted and didn't stoop to their level. Those bastards dared to hang his photos online, selling one for only ten thousand Jenny so cheaply—simply insulting him, Gotoh. Must teach them a proper lesson!