Is it wrong to try to build a criminal Empire?

Chapter 22

"The world is full of things I want to take."

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1 month and 1 week since joining Hestia familia.

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"Make sure those floors are shining, Luan!" jeered a fellow Apollo Familia member as he passed by the unfortunate Pallum, who was stuck scrubbing the mansion's floors.

Luan ignored the bastard's remarks, focusing on finishing his task as quickly as possible. His face, however, betrayed his irritation, radiating pure indignation.

Luan Espel, a member of the Apollo Familia—considered the weakest—hated how his familia treated him.

He was a proud member of the Pallum race and one of Apollo-sama's chosen! So why, in all Apollo-sama's magnificence, had the captain ordered him to clean the damn floors!? Did they not hire maids for this!?

He gritted his teeth, his frustration fueling his aggressive scrubbing. He wiped and wiped, as if punishing the poor mop for his situation.

When he finally finished, he tossed the mop aside with far more force than necessary and marched straight toward the kitchen.

He needed a drink—anything to make him forget this cursed day.

"Luan!"

The sharp call of Hyakinthos Clio, captain of the Apollo Familia, froze Luan in his tracks. He immediately regretted throwing the mop so carelessly.

Turning around reluctantly, Luan saw the captain approaching with another figure in tow: Dace, the newest addition to the familia, a young elf with blonde hair.

Luan's nervous expression deepened. What did the captain want now?

'Did I forget to clean somewhere? Oh no, did someone report me for sneaking a sip from Apollo-sama's private Wine stash?!'

"Are you done cleaning, Luan?" Hyakinthos asked, one eyebrow raised expectantly as he came to a stop.

"Uhh… yes, Captain, I just finished," Luan replied quickly, bracing himself for whatever unreasonable demand was coming next.

'If he gives me another cleaning chore, I swear I'll strangle him!'  he thought. 'Metaphorically, of course—he'd probably cut me in half before I even got close.'

In fact, the only person in the familia Luan might  be able to beat was Cassandra—and only because she'd probably hold back to avoid hurting him.

The captain nodded in approval, then gestured toward Dace, who stood silently beside him. "Good. Luan, I want you to accompany Dace as his supporter for today. You'll split the earnings evenly."

Luan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Supporter?! To the rookie?! I'm his senior, Captain!" The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

The humiliation was too much to bear. A supporter—and not just to anyone, but to a rookie? This was the final straw. He would never agree to something so degrading!

Hyakinthos's expression darkened, his features twisting ever so slightly. "Am I hearing insubordination?" His voice carried a dangerous edge, a clear warning of the consequences of defying him.

Luan instinctively stepped back, suddenly reconsidering where exactly to place his "final straw." What the hell was he thinking?! This is the captain!

"Uhh… I can go alone. You don't have to force Luan-senpai to do something he doesn't want, Captain," Dace interjected, his voice breaking the tense silence, not liking the thought of his new familia fighting among themselves.