"The true ruler of Ardenburg, more honorable and wise than anyone else, the true bloodline of the King, please welcome Your Majesty, Theodore Tiberius Adesden!"

From that sudden announcement, everyone closed their mouths and all knelt down.

"The absolute ruler of the Kingdom, pay homage to the Great King!"

But the att.i.tude of the n.o.bles in comparison to the Princess was completely different. The n.o.bles that were prideful and stiff-necked suddenly lowered their heads down with their noses touching the ground as they bent their whole bodies.

From this strange tension, Sunhyuk also subconsciously followed and bowed as well.

Tap. Tap.

They were not fast or slow footsteps, but the hundreds of n.o.bles did not hesitate in continuing to kneel, nor did the King hasten his walk. Soon, the footsteps stopped and the voice of the King was heard.

"Lift up your heads."

It wasn't raised to a heavy shout to allow everyone to hear, nor intentionally loud for the rear to hear his voice. Rather, it was a normal, soft voice that was almost like a whisper, causing Sunhyuk to doubt if everyone could hear it.

Nevertheless, there were none that had not heard of this order. Well, it wasn't strange. Currently, it was so quiet in the ballroom that you could hear a pin drop.

The other n.o.bles slowly raised their heads while Sunhyuk hardened on the spot. He met the eyes of the King who was looking his way.

Ah…

The gaze of the King was marvelously transparent. It was as if his insides were being totally seen through as he could feel gooseb.u.mps rising.

"Come here, Ophelia. My lovely daughter."

But that meeting was just a fleeting moment, and the King turned away. Though he had barely escaped the gaze of the King, but he felt tired enough from that brief moment.

"It has been a while since I had seen such n.o.ble friends in a banquet."

"Since Your Majesty is so prosperous, how could we dare propose one first."

The n.o.bles were as uncomfortable as the King was. The n.o.ble aristocrats, despite their ruthless tactics and thoughts, expressed a polite greeting to the King without hesitation.

Sunhyuk, who was looking at this from a third-person perspective, realized the fact that everything in the banquet hall had stopped.

What an interesting matter. The n.o.bles were hardened as if they were cursed into stone, and when the King were to speak, they would move as if they were released from that curse. If the King did not permit, it was as if they would forget to breathe.

"Seeing you n.o.ble friends healthy, I feel that tomorrow's morning of the Kingdom will be quite bright."

It was a small, low voice that would be hard to hear without focusing, which the n.o.bles concentrated wholly on.

So he's the King of Ardenburg.

Sunhyuk subconsciously exclaimed. Due to the conflict between the n.o.ble factions and the King, the King that he a.s.sumed would be a King lacking authority and power was actually a born leader and ruler.

"This is a place to celebrate a meaningful victory, so please drink everyone without worry and enjoy."

Then, as time pa.s.sed, the suffocating atmosphere slowly began to flow smoothly. The n.o.bles flocked together and spoke freely, and though there were hardly any footsteps that were heard, the servants were still busily walking around.

But Sunhyuk realized.

"Could there be such a funny thing?! From your quick wit, you have to quickly kneel…"

"Miss Rosaline, please accept my heart…"

Despite the fact that he could hear and see all these exaggerated gestures and conversations of men, young n.o.bles, and beautiful women, every single one was paying attention to the King.

It was as if he had come to see a cheap play, as Sunhyuk leisurely watched this rare scene.

However, it seemed that the King wasn't intent on letting himself be the main play for long.

"The legitimate and rightful ruler, Theodo…"

"Ahah. Let us omit such c.u.mbersome methods. I know that you Strangers aren't like us very well."

Kim Sunhyuk, guided by one of the armored Knights, tried to greet the King by kneeling in front on one knee, but the King interjected.

"So you are the Drake Knight who has achieved the greatest merits in this war."

Rather, it was the Princess who was more graceful in speech and action. The King, on the other hand, was heavier in the tone of his voice, and the pressure was several times more.

"I do not know how to dare talk back to such an unworthy t.i.tle…"

Sunhyuk who was trying to give a moderate answer had cold sweat dripping down his back. Though it was definitely a compliment, it was as if he was being scolded as one who wasn't even knighted properly yet.

'No. This was a bit forceful.'

Though he knew that he couldn't be rude despite these thoughts, he thought that this would help relieve his stress. Ever since he was being paid attention by the Royal Family and the n.o.bles since he arrived at the capital, he was never not uncomfortable. He did not understand why they were paying such close attention to him when he would leave for the borders again and may never see them again, so he felt like he was in a very unfair situation.

Especially, the t.i.tle of Drake Knight was immature and shameful, a name that he did not want to be called. No, ever since he came here, there was nothing he did out of his own free will. Sunhyuk looked around quickly before raising his head. Of course, he was still in a kneeling state.

"What an interesting person."

As if he knew of his inner turmoil, the King suddenly laughed.

Had this been the previous Sunhyuk, he might have shrugged his shoulders, but the current one now knew that he had to remain calm in front of that unique, transparent gaze.

"When you first arrived here, there was something which I had promised. It was that if you Strangers can prove your worth, then I will compensate you just as equally."

The King did not rebuke his att.i.tude, even showing a smile.

"You have proven yourself worthy enough. You deserve the right to be dignified."

The Royal Family who had proposed a relations.h.i.+p of giving and receiving service to each other, was a rational trading partner though he did not understood immediately at the time. Since everyone around him had rambled on about loyalty, it was why he had forgotten the initial approach of the Royal Family.

Now finally remembering that fact, he stared at the King quietly.

"Speak. I will listen if you have anything else you desire."

The King was certainly not easy to deal with, but a man that you could share a casual conversation with. Not only that, this was quite refres.h.i.+ng.

"It means I will hear your wish."

From that cool proposition by the King, the n.o.bles stepped forth.

"Your Majesty! Offer rather gold or riches instead! It is too much to offer such a grand reward to a Stranger that does not know the details of this world yet! If he were to ask for something excessive…"

"He is already promised of a t.i.tle of n.o.bility and a grand reward. Since we know the mercy of your Majesty, we are afraid that there will be problems in equity."

The n.o.bles who were too frightened to say a word were shocked that the King would listen to his wish.

"Tell me… Are you going to ask me something unreasonable?"

"No, your majesty."

"Then speak this time, Count Mengsk. If I were to provide him a separate award, is it unfair?"

"It is not. Since he had raised greater merits than anyone else, they will be unable to speak out."

From both of their answers, the King laughed in satisfaction.

"Have you heard. The man has no thoughts of making any unreasonable demands, and the Commander of the Western Armies has confirmed that this special reward will not be unfair. Are there any other concerns?"

The n.o.bles that have already spoken out once to the King did not have the courage to speak out again. They just lowered their heads and retreated.

"Now. Speak. About what it is you want."

Kim Sunhyuk, who had looked at the n.o.bles retreating, replied without hesitation.

The n.o.bles were rather flabbergasted.

Though they could not find a fault form the Stranger's att.i.tude of kneeling on one knee, but strangely, his att.i.tude looked subtle. Even the distinctive transparent gaze of the Royal Bloodline was being received confidently.

"That, that, that impetuous fellow…"

There was never a man who showed such confidence in front of the merciful, n.o.ble and sly King Theodore.

No. It would be a relief if he was confident. Even that Stranger had glared at the n.o.bles who had tried to dismiss the King's favor. That face looked as if he was engraving their faces in his memory so that he would remember this day, causing the n.o.bles to be stupefied.

Whether it was the boldness or confidence of the Stranger, it was clear that it pleased the King quite a bit.

"Now.. Speak. About what it is you want."

The Stranger, without speculation or declination, accepted the King's offer.

"What I want is…"

Since his voice suddenly became quiet, they weren't able to hear the conversation between the Stranger and the King. Noticing this, they tried to get closer, but the conversation was already over as the King spoke.

"Really, are you okay with that? If it was because you have doubts about my authority, I will give you another chance to speak again. I truly have the ability to hear what you wish for."

"How could I…"

The Stranger belatedly showed humility. The King momentarily looked at the Stranger before bursting into a laugh.

"Hahaha. Such an interesting fellow."

What kind of answer did he reply for the King to laugh like this? The n.o.bles were full of curiosity as a result.

"Good. Your wish will be fulfilled. But…"

The n.o.bles cheered inwardly. That cunning King would not easily give his favor to anyone. However, once he ended with 'But', they listened carefully.

"Just by listening to your wish, my reputation won't be upheld. Thus, you will receive thy gift unto me."

It was as if he was giving out a punishment, but rather different in meaning instead as he was bestowing a reward basically.

"I, Theodore Tiberius Adesden will open the Palace warehouse to this unselfish man. Open the warehouse as soon as the banquet is over…"

The n.o.bles listened to the voice of the King dumbfounded.

The King did not stay in his position for a long time. In order to allow the n.o.bles to enjoy the banquet, he took the Princess and vanished. Normally, the escort was supposed to leave together with the Princess, but he would skip this troublesome process thanks to the King.

"You crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

After belatedly sighing out his strength, his cavalry comrades gathered around him.

"How big is your courage that you could ask so confidently in front of the King…"

"I thought I was gonna die from a heart attack from just seeing this."

It wasn't just an exaggeration it seems as both Hansen and Jonathan were shaking their heads at him with pale, fear-stricken faces.

"His Majesty cherishes talents, and he is a very gracious man. Even if you were to make a mistake, he would not cancel the reward and t.i.tle of n.o.bility."

"That's what I thought as well."

If he had not actually met the King, he would not have known. The King seemed totally unwilling to force him to be loyal and devoted. Thus, all of his troubles and efforts in not being bound by the Royal Family was now ambiguous.

"But what kind of wish did you ask for his Majesty to be so pleased?"

"Did you flatter him or something?"

His comrades asked him full of interest and curiosity, but Sunhyuk simply said that it wasn't too particular.

"It's just…"

However, he could not finish what he spoke about. At one point, the n.o.bles had gathered too, and he realized the fact that they were listening in on the conversation.

'Oh right. These men were here too.'

Though the final boss has disappeared, the banquet was not yet over. Now, the banquet had officially started as the n.o.bles' eyes were lit up in antic.i.p.ation…

TL Afterword:

Calvis: Did he ask for Kimchi Stew? LOL.

PR Afterword:

T0ngan: I would have asked for cable tv.

Borderline m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t:  N/A

Translator: Calvis

Editor:  T0ngan/Borderline m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t