Half an hour later, the rescue operation was nearly done.

"Okay, we should head back now and let the other empire take over." Ray clasped his hands and announced.

"What?" Jake raised an eyebrow and quickly questioned the motive. "Why should we leave and let others take the credit?"

"Take what credits?" Ray rolled his eyes and explained, "The culprit was slain by you, Jake. We also did the rescue operation to the best of our ability. If we continue to remain, the empire would only be wary and question our motives. Are we here to take credit or rescue the civilians?"

"..."

Instantly, Jake was rendered speechless. He realized where Ray was coming from. The empire indeed loves loyal nobles, but to the nobles who overdo their work, the emperor would become wary instead.

Do a good job, but never do too much of a good job to avoid being scrutinized.

Since it was obvious that this crisis was resolved mainly by their Carrion Household, to do any further was like a slap to the emperor’s face.

Sounds fucked up?

Yes, it is!

But that was just how politics works.

"Ray has a point." Chloe suddenly chimed in and agreed with Ray’s perspective. Prior to joining them, she had a private chat with her father during magic transmission.

She was warned in advance to leave some of the work to the people sent by the empire.

Initially, she thought about proposing to leave, but it seemed like it was unnecessary.

’This adopted son really isn’t simple.’ Chloe never believed the person whom her Father found was mediocre. And this incident had proven her deduction to be correct.

She glanced at Ray and narrowed her eyes. ’Lazy on the surface, but his mind is constantly thinking about stuff. How dangerous.’

That was the final evaluation she had in her mind.

...

Carrion Household, Marquis Robert’s Office

"So that’s your opinion of Ray?" Robert glanced at Chloe. He sat at his usual desk with a stern expression.

"Yes, Father." Chloe nodded.

"He basically rushed us back home. And the moment we did, he went back to his room, with the claim that he was exhausted."

"Then what do you think his motive was when he claimed that Jake was the one who captured and dealt with the culprit?" Robert changed the topic.

Even though Chloe never mentioned it was a credit passed along, he knew his eldest son well.

There was no way he was that competent to capture and kill the culprit decisively.

"That... I’m also not sure." Chloe shook her head.

"Do you think he’s trying to make amends or trying to make a favorable impression among them?"

At this moment, Robert suddenly paused because her expression alone had given him an answer. She had a disgusted look on her face, which goes to show that she seriously didn’t believe that was the case.

"With all due respect, Father, he’s definitely the shrewd type. Jake is destined to be stepped over by him." She gave her honest opinion.

"Agreed." Robert nodded in agreement.

His son wasn’t the brightest, but he was still his first son, no matter how much of a disappointment he was.

...

"Achooo!" In the hallway, Jake suddenly sneezed very loudly and almost lost his balance.

"Be careful," Jake’s Mother, Michelle, scolded him lightly and gave him a stern look. "If you tarnish the tray of food, then I’ll twist your ears until they turn red."

The news of Jake playing an active role in the monster tide incident and dealing with the culprit had long spread.

And as someone who had her own informant within the guards and soldiers, Michelle naturally knew the credit was actually given to him by Ray.

Since the latter had given her son such a big gift, she naturally needed to return the favor. Otherwise, it would look very bad on her side.

Soon, they arrived at Ray’s room, only to notice Belva standing guard outside.

"Madam and Young Master Jake." Belva lowered her head slightly and greeted them.

"Is Ray inside?" Michelle glanced at the door.

"Yes, but he has instructed us not to disturb him."

"Is that so..."

Michelle then turned to his son and ordered, "Stay here until Ray is ready to receive guests."

"Huh?" Jake was startled. "But what if he’s actually sleeping? Mother, I told you he was legit slacking around."

SLAP!

Belva’s face lit up slightly when she saw Michelle slap the crap out of her son.

’Woo, do it again please!’ She exclaimed inwardly while keeping a stoic expression on the surface.

And sure enough, her prayers would be answered when Michelle delivered another slap to him.

She made sure both cheeks received the same treatment and were symmetrical to each other.

Had it been anyone else, Jake would have thrown a fit already.

However, it was his mother, so he didn’t even dare to utter a single ounce of complaint about the slap.

’Well done!’ Belva nearly cheered loudly at the action. It was about time someone slapped some sense into Jake’s face.

There was also another person whom she wished to see getting slapped, but she couldn’t see the chance at all.

’Sigh, who would dare slap Ray when he’s on the rise?’

When they returned to the household, Ray didn’t even bother greeting the Marquis.

Yet the Marquis not only didn’t complain about the behavior, he even told the servants to tend to him if he beckoned for them.

...

Ray’s Room

SLAP!

"Damn, that hurt like a bitch!" Ray rubbed his face when he realized he wasn’t daydreaming. The Villain Store opened, and the first thing he saw was the ability to summon the undead.

What made it infuriating was the fact that the skill actually cost 1050 Villain Points.

1025 Villain Points were required to summon one, but the 1050 Villain Points were required to purchase a skill that helped him offset that ridiculous pricing.

Think of it like buying a trial item and the permanent item.

The difference was only 25 points, so who in their right mind would buy a stupid trial item?

’How dare this damn system try to swindle me 1025 points earlier!’ He gnashed his teeth and felt relieved that he had decided to wait a bit.