"Ahem! Be serious! Be serious! Honestly, how could you laugh at the venerable Council of Elders? When we get back, everyone's pay will be docked!" Solam hastily tried to remedy the situation after Gladys shot him a glare.
Though the Cloud Giant royal guard did not receive any pay at all—they had all volunteered to join the guard...
Reminded by Solam, the Cloud Giants also realized that if the Council of Elders found out they had been laughing behind their backs, they would definitely suffer when they returned. They immediately put on expressionless faces and stood rooted to the spot like wooden posts, without moving a muscle.
"All right, Yetana. Why did you come to see me at a time like this?" Seeing his "majesty" fully restored, Solam nodded in satisfaction before asking Yetana.
Perhaps because those imposing Cloud Giant elders had left, Yetana seemed much less restrained now.
"Of course I came to find out what exactly you intend to do."
"Insolence!!!" Her sudden lack of restraint immediately displeased the royal guard at the side. A Cloud Giant warrior slammed his spear against the floor and shouted a reprimand.
Yetana's attendants were all startled, and some had already begun drawing their weapons.
"Enough!" Solam smashed his hand heavily against the armrest of his throne. The enormous thunderclap-like sound made everyone stop moving.
"All right, she can be considered my friend. There's no need to be so particular about her manners. Forgive her discourtesy." Solam first spoke pleasantly to the royal guard. Since they were defending his dignity, he naturally had to soothe them.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Cloud Giants of the royal guard glared fiercely at those ill-mannered humans before returning to their positions, though they continued watching them like hawks.
They felt the elders had been right—humans were