Mr. N calmed down, then continued, "I sent Liam to defeat the President's Elite Guard Rank 8, Rufus," Mr. N said. "Liam left him in a WHEELCHAIR, the same way they left Osprey. That's called payback."
The lieutenants clapped.
Demi wasn't amused.
He texted Sho discreetly.
Demi: Elite Guard Rank 2 getting roughed up this badly by Rank 8?
Sho: The President's Elite Guards aren't like ours. Aren't they actually ranked by power?
Demi: I know they're rumored to be three times stronger than ours. But 8 to 2 is still a massive gap.
Mr. N continued.
"Liam also fought Elite Guard Rank 2, alongside his friend—and now our Elite Guard Rank 10: Parasite. Also known as Siegfreed… or Freya."
Siegfried stared awkwardly, saying nothing.
"They successfully completed the mission. Orders were clear: Elite Guard Rank 2 was not to be killed. So they retreated."
Allen laughed, his hands trembling as he clenched his fists. "Retreated?" he scoffed. "You call that a success? You two had him cornered in a 2v1 and CHOSE TO RUN AWAY?"
Siegfried, annoyed, looked and pointed. "Who's the croissant eater talking?"
Allen clapped back. "You look like you have acne scars and dark spots on your ass cheeks, MISS MALE."
Siegfried instantly got triggered.
Liam held them back, his eyes annoyed, looking to the ceiling. 'The dark spots really hit a nerve, it seems…'
Mr. N looked towards Allen with a cold glare. As Allen shut up, he continued to speak, but was cut off by Demisaux.
Demi was surprised. "Ignorance aside, just for a moment," Demi said, smiling across the room at Liam, "it is impressive that you survived that encounter with Elite Guard Rank 2, Liam. Cheers."
Sho nodded in agreement.
James's eyes stayed glued to Mr. N the entire time. The light in his singular eye, not burning bright anymore, it's dim.
Mr. N slammed the table. Everyone was now paying attention.
"Firstly, I'd like to congratulate all my Lieutenants, those from my Prestigious Hero School and those who aren't. However, to those from Hero School, I am eternally grateful, as you all are proud products and success stories. It's only more privileges from here, more land, more money, more opportunity."
He paced back and forth. Solomon took a seat.
"And you've all done it at such a young age. Your talent has been actualized into something useful. That is the most important gift on earth."
Mr. N cracks a genuine smile as he's at ease. "And I couldn't be more grateful."
He opens his arms, as if expecting an invisible hug.
"Stand proud, my demons."
"Now, as for my Elite Guards, you are the extensions of my soul. My most prized possessions."
As his tone falls, almost as if grieving, "Lemel #10 and Brydfire #2 would be proud of every last one of you. Their sacrifices will not be in vain."
The mood then spikes back to normal. "With that being said! We all knew it would be impossible to replace those two, LOL. Especially our Elite Guard Rank 2. However, I do consider this to be a 'success,' at the very least. If not an upgrade. Advance, my dragon."
Liam, still at the door looking in, stepped forward properly, drinking his raspberry snowcone with no shirt, Siegfried right beside him.
Liam whispers, "Hello, frien—"
Allen Pool sprang out of his chair. He immediately drew the weapon his lieutenant, Eric, had sheathed.
He moved so fast that it was clear he had fully intended to cut off Liam's head.