Chapter 369 175: A Way to Prove Strength

"He won't wait if we're late?"

"What kind of attitude is that!"

Hearing Genduo's words, Yisha was instantly displeased. She complained, "He makes it sound like we're the ones begging for an audience."

'We're the ones giving the White Bear Organization an opportunity. Fine, don't thank us, but telling us he won't wait? That's just plain rude!'

Sean didn't seem to mind. "It's fine," he said. "After all, we never said we'd let the White Bear Organization replace the Kovloki Family."

"The Wizards in Sonaros State are all terrified of the Kovloki Family and wouldn't dare cross them. The fact that he's even willing to meet and talk after hearing we want to take them out is already pretty good."

"No."

Elvire sided with Yisha this time. Clearly displeased with the White Bear Organization's attitude, she said coldly, "As the Chairman of a Wizard Union, he can't be an idiot. He knows better than anyone who stands to gain the most from the Kovloki Family's destruction."

We're going to leave eventually. Once we're gone, all the credit for overthrowing the Kovloki Family's tyrannical rule will go to the White Bear Organization. If the Chairman has any skill at all, the White Bear Organization could become the largest Wizard Organization in Sonaros State—just like the Dawn Council in Siracle State—without any further help from us.

Even if they don't completely replace the Kovloki Family's influence in Sonaros State—ruling over both legitimate and illegitimate spheres—they would at least gain a reputation and prestige within the Wizard community that other organizations couldn't dream of. They'd have money, they'd have manpower. Why would they need to keep hiding in the shadows, living in fear, afraid to step into the light?

He's a Chairman, after all. He can't possibly fail to understand something so simple.

And yet, his attitude is still...

He won't wait.

This isn't about politeness anymore. He simply doesn't respect us at all. He thinks we're just like Genduo and Konina—Wizards who fled to Sonaros State, to be summoned and dismissed at his whim.

"Really?" Sean tilted his head. "I didn't think about it that much."

Elvire glared at him. "We're talking about something serious. Stop trying to be cute."

Her romantic mood came on fast and faded just as quickly.

Sean put on an honest and innocent expression. "I really didn't think about it that much."

Elise teased, "Looks like that saying is true. Love turns people into idiots."

"Our writer used to be so clever. He could spot when something was even slightly off. He was a master at stepping into the fray and turning the tables. But now..."

"...he's as dull as an old ox."

Sean: "?"

"What kind of crappy metaphor is that?"

Elise blinked, glancing at Elvire. "Because an old ox eats tender grass."

"PFFT." Elise couldn't help but laugh out loud.

'From her perspective, Sean really *was* an old ox eating tender grass.'

'He was Mr. Blake, after all—the one who was supposedly immortal.'

'He's lived from the Era of Polymath until now, and it seems he's never even changed bodies.'

'But Elvire, as a Reshaper, had a new body. And it wasn't just Elvire. It was the same for Her Highness the Saintess and that person from the Blazing Angel Family. In terms of true age, her Master could have been their great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, and then some.'

Sopea, who also knew Sean's identity, couldn't help but chuckle.

'Those who don't know have no fear.'

'Only Elise, who knew nothing, would dare to joke with Sean like that.'

However.

As she was laughing,

Sopea suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Elise was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized it too.

'Wait.'

'I thought Elise didn't know Sean was Mr. Blake?'

'Why would she use a metaphor like "an old ox eating tender grass"?'

Elise subconsciously looked at Sean.

It made Sean's heart pound.

'No way.'

'Did Elise figure it out?'

'But my disguise was perfect! I haven't slipped up, have I?'

He retorted tentatively, "We're about the same age. If I'm old, doesn't that make you an old woman?"

Elise thought for a moment and, seeming to agree, retracted the "old ox" remark. "Alright, let me change the word then," she said in a suggestive tone. "How about 'big ox'?"

Sean thought for a moment, then nodded. "That works. It's quite fitting."

"Go on, you're not humble at all, are you!" Elise laughed.

Sean observed her discreetly. She seemed normal enough.

'Did I overthink it?'

"Just eat your food," Elvire said, blushing slightly as she stuffed a piece of bread into Elise's mouth. She had clearly understood the adult joke between Elise and Sean.

Elise had always been like this; their usual chats were often similar. Elvire didn't mind and was used to it. But it was a different story if the target of the adult jokes was her boy... good friend.

'What was that saying again?'

'Guard against fire, guard against thieves, and guard against your best friend!'

"So, are we going or not?" Yisha asked.

'If I were in charge, I would've moved on to the next Wizard Organization immediately after seeing such an ungrateful attitude.'

'Sonaros State is huge. There are plenty of other potential partners.'

Sean, however, didn't feel like moving. He leaned back lazily in his chair and said, "I can't be bothered to find another place. Let's just go. I'm curious to see why this Chairman is so confident."

Yisha pouted. "Fine."

And so.

「Half an hour later.」

Having finished dinner, the group arrived downstairs at Genduo and Konina's apartment building.

"We're here."

Sean called Genduo.

"'Give me a minute, I'm putting on makeup,' Genduo said."

Sean: "..."

"Okay."

He replied, then silently changed Genduo's contact name in his phone to "Exquisite Hunk."

「Another half an hour passed.」

Genduo came downstairs.

"Where's Konina?" Sean asked.