Hades seemed to have grasped Latifa’s intention, silently producing a wide smile. He then resumed his fierce expression and shouted to Shadi’s people.

“You all, rise and stand up. Do you think I’d really kill you?”

Shadi’s Confucians stood up and, still trembling, supported their younger sister, whom Hades had unsettled.

‘Even with such a good family, to be so upset about not having the crazy Hades destroying everything. The world will truly be interesting for a long time.’

Latifa looked at them, releasing a small sigh mixed with envy and pity.

“Shadi’s Confucians, if a child makes a mistake, some discipline is needed within the household. Do you agree?”

“Yes. We will discipline our sister well so that such a thing will not happen again.”

Satisfied with Shadi 1’s answer, Hades, with a content smile, suddenly asked Latifa.

“Now, Latifa. Choose between a boxwood or a pine tree.”

“…?”

Talking about punishment, why suddenly trees?

“Boxwood is a bit dull but has a satisfying feeling when hitting, while pine is sharp, and the sound when it hits is crisp. I would choose boxwood, but pine also has its own charm that I can’t give up.”

‘Wait, is he really talking about hitting?’

Hades, stroking his chin, was genuinely contemplating.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I’m not the one doing the hitting. Shadi Confucians will do the hitting. I can’t personally give you family education.”

“H-Hades!”

In response to Hades’ outrageous punishment, Amira’s face turned red with shame, on the verge of bursting into tears.

“Shadi’s fourth child. You’ll be undergoing the coming-of-age ceremony soon. After that, you’ll be legally an adult, so be especially careful with your behavior. I won’t treat you like a child anymore.”

Hades’ words were cold and sharp, filled with the chill and sharpness of a desert venomous scorpion’s tail. Then, he gently spoke to Latifa, patting her shoulder.

“Right, Latifa. You can’t speak now. Oh, I was foolish. In that case, let’s go with pine. Go quickly and bring a pine tree club.”

“Yes!”

Hades, urging the waiting servant beside him, gave an order, and the servant hurriedly ran out of the reception room.

“A, a club? Oh, dear brothers! Are you really going to hit me?!”

The Confucians looked at their beloved sister with stern faces.

“O guardians of the desert. This truly hurts my heart. But you all know it’s unavoidable. Discipline is important.”

Hades, smiling gleefully, looked at them.

“Hades! Here, we brought a pine tree club!”

In the hands of the hastily appearing servant was a sturdy pine tree club.

“A club? Oh, dear gods! Am I really going to be hit by my brothers?!”

The Confucians, holding the club with tearful eyes, and Amira, jumping in surprise.

“Dear brothers, please don’t do this! I will complain to Father! Ugh! Dear brothers! Don’t hit me! Ah!”

“Amira, bare your calves. This is truly unavoidable.”

“Yes, Amira. Hades will also participate in your coming-of-age ceremony. Let’s not make a big deal out of it here. Just gently hit her with fifteen strikes on the calves. I’m really sorry!”

The Confucians, worried that their crazy brother would cause their sister more trouble, held back tears and raised the club. Amira, attempting to escape, was soon held by Caleb’s servants and had no choice but to stand still while enduring fifteen strikes on her calves.

“I don’t want this! Wah! I’ve never been hit since I was born!”

Amira wailed, her face flushed with embarrassment and tears streaming down.
“Hooh, then let’s try it once. New experiences will lead you to a broader world.”

At the sound of Amira’s cries, Hades laughed and embraced Latifa with one arm. Soon, with a smacking sound, Amira’s screams echoed outside the reception room.

Smack!

“Kyaaaah! I hate you! I hate you! Ouch! It hurts! I’m sorry! Uwaaaah!”

And for some reason, the door of the reception room was slightly ajar, and through that gap, Caleb’s servants were peeking with intense curiosity.

“Kyaaaah! It hurts!”

Watching Amira being hit with a club for quite some time, Hades lowered his head to Latifa’s ear and whispered gently.

“How is it? This is how you endure a spanking.”

Latifa couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.

“Latifa, considering that you might prefer watching a naughty calf being spanked rather than going through a coming-of-age ceremony, don’t feel too upset.”

As Latifa was about to respond satisfactorily, he inserted his index finger between her lips, raising the corners of her mouth.

“Hush. Save that voice for when they leave, give a roaring farewell. For now, let’s watch or eat something.”

Hades grabbed a handful of golden corn kernels from a small ceramic bowl on the side table and handed them to her, taking one for himself.

Crunch.

“Kyaaah! Hades, I was wrong! Uwaaaah!”

‘But even if she dies soon, she won’t apologize to me.’

With a sad expression, Latifa looked at the Confucians hitting Amira’s calves and her screaming.

‘But to me, revenge is much more valuable than gold or silver.’