Language is Truly an Art

"Are you questioning my impartiality and fairness as the Fleet Admiral of the Marines?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression darkened as he asked.

"This... perhaps my father exaggerated when he submitted this application for me?" Yaen replied in a low voice.

"If that's the case, then Marine Yaen, please examine this application yourself and see if there are any inaccuracies."

After a pause, Fleet Admiral Sengoku continued. "According to regulations, Marine promotion applications also require public announcement and record-keeping. This is your final chance to check."

Immediately, Yaen began to check without hesitation, focusing primarily on the merit section.

To Yaen's disbelief, the merit section was densely packed with various texts.

A moment later, Yaen looked up at Fleet Admiral Sengoku with a hateful gaze and said in extreme annoyance, "Language is truly an art!"

"It seems Captain Yaen has no objections?"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression was calm. Noticing Kake's curious look, he spoke up.

"You three are the most outstanding Marines of the new generation. You need to understand each other."

"Since Captain Kake is curious, please also take a look at Captain Yaen's application report and see if his merits are sufficient for the rank of Captain."

"Yes!"

Kake responded, taking the report from the furious Yaen and reading it along with Gion, who had also cast her eyes over.

When they saw the first line of the merit section, Kake and Gion couldn't help but exclaim in unison, "Deeply involved in the Demon Slaughter*** and made significant contributions?!"

"I just sat on the boat. Let alone firing cannons, I didn't even fire a single bullet," Yaen explained.

Unfortunately, Kake and Gion didn't believe Yaen's words and continued to read the content below the merit section in unison.

"Prevented a naval vessel from accidentally firing on a refugee ship, saving thousands of civilian lives and promptly salvaging the Marines' reputation..."

"Assisted Vice Admiral Spandine in capturing the rogue Vice Admiral Sauron. According to post-war statistics, Tifeme Yaen inflicted over a thousand wounds on Sauron..."

Reading this, Kake's face showed a look of admiration as he said, "Impressive, Captain Yaen. You're so young, yet your strength has reached a level where you can contend with Vice Admirals."

Yaen.

'If I said I was just giving Sauron a deep tissue massage back then, would anyone believe me?'

Yaen thought helplessly in his mind, but he was utterly unable to explain or refute the contents of the merit section.

Unnoticed by Kake, Gion's complexion had become slightly flushed at this moment, as if she were recalling something special.

However, the merits on the list were far from over. Kake continued to read them out one by one.

"Helped Vice Admiral Kuzan, who was lost, find a new path of justice..."

"Annihilated the Capone Mafia, which was wreaking havoc in a certain sea area..."

"Proposed significant and highly referential suggestions regarding the current state of the West Blue Marines..."

For a moment, just by looking at the merits listed, an image of an outstanding young Marine who wholeheartedly devoted himself to the Marines and considered their interests in all matters was established in Kake's mind.

However, Kake glanced at Yaen. With his black-rimmed glasses and handsome, well-defined features, he exuded a gentle and refined aura. Coupled with his slightly messy hair from just waking up, he didn't look like a young Marine capable of accomplishing so many great deeds.

Instead... he looked more like one of those lazy, aimless second-generation heirs.

Yaen noticed Kake's somewhat strange gaze and assumed Kake doubted his ability to accomplish so much. He immediately stated with certainty:

"I'm not the kind of person you think I am."

Suddenly, Kake's eyes widened slightly. Under Yaen's bright gaze, he felt as if his inner thoughts had been seen through.

Indeed, you can't judge a book by its cover!

He understood my thoughts just by looking at my eyes? As expected of Fleet Admiral Sengoku's son, who is known as the "Wise General."

It seems Captain Yaen's refined and handsome appearance doesn't represent his inner self.

Just as Captain Yaen said, he's not the second-generation heir I imagined, but the Fleet Admiral's son with great depth and foresight!

This way, it makes sense why Captain Yaen could achieve such merits at such a young age!

Immediately, Kake's expression turned serious, and he said to Fleet Admiral Sengoku:

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I believe that the merits Captain Yaen has achieved are not just worthy of the rank of Captain, but I think even granting him the rank of Colonel would not be out of the question."

???

Yaen.

For a moment, Yaen couldn't help but cast a look of incomprehension at Kake.

I have no enmity with you, why are you trying to harm me?

I never expected you, you scoundrel, to be so ugly and lecherous, but to also be so malicious inside? You even know how to praise someone to their downfall?

Could it be that this Kake is a plant secretly hired by the old man?

At this thought, Yaen instantly understood and felt this possibility was extremely high!

Last time, the old man found Gion to cooperate, and under the guise of marrying into the family, he forced me to act and agree to join the Marines.

Now, has he found Kake to put on a double act?

All of them are moles, what else can we do in this situation?

Yaen's mouth twitched slightly. He then patted Kake's shoulder and said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Captain Kake, you are truly beautiful and intelligent, and you have a unique vision. You've said such insightful things. Your future is boundless."

However, Yaen's words, full of threats, were perceived by Kake, due to his preconceived good impression, as praise from a kindred spirit.

Especially... the phrase "beautiful and intelligent" struck a chord with Kake.

Growing up, even his mother had never praised him like this, especially not his appearance.

"Big Brother..."

Under Yaen's bewildered gaze, Kake inexplicably looked at him with tears welling up, and called him with an extremely intimate address, saying with great emotion.

"I never expected you to see me as this kind of man."

Yaen, unable to keep up with Kake's train of thought, subconsciously retorted, "Then what else?"

!!

Kake.

At this moment, Kake felt as if Yaen was radiating an extraordinary light. He understood that a rhetorical question could be more encouraging than a direct affirmation.

This tone, filled with an unspoken sense of inevitability, gave Kake an unprecedented sense of validation!

"Brother Yaen, from now on, you are my Big Brother!!!"