Chapter 169

Valaran was in a festive mood. This was true for both players and NPCs. The newly crowned king had promised much to his subjects and generously rewarded adventurers. And with Ironblood' influence gone, the nobles could breathe easier. It was now possible to fulfill royal demands while still profiting.

Naturally, this benefited the people of their territories too, and as the people prospered, the rewards for quests were also increased. The Ironbloods being driven out, alone, seemed to have flipped Valaran on its head, ushering in a sweeping change.

"It makes me think Valaran can truly prosper now. Why haven't such measures been taken before?"

"You think change will be that easy?"

"You made it happen."

"That's why I can be so relaxed in front of you."

Heinrich grinned, looking at his friend Seojin with joy. This adventurer had set this land on the right path.

"I won't let your efforts go in vain."

"Start preparing to establish relations with the elves. You're already way behind and need a solid foundation to leap forward. Being the first nation to interact with Salevania's elves sounds good, doesn't it?"

These elves had formed a positive relationship with Seojin. With their power and skills, Valaran could grow into a significantly different direction than other nations. Considering the game's nature, the demand for tourism would increase substantially as well.

'And there's the elementalist class. Being the nation with the most elementalists would be a strong selling point, considering it's a hidden class.'

But Seojin didn't mention the elementalists to Heinrich. There was no point in discussing adventurer-related matters he wouldn't understand.

Moreover, Heinrich Valaran was turning out to be a better king than expected.

"Run things well. Stay on the right track."

"Planning to leave already?"

"Why? Need my help again already?"

Heinrich smiled softly, shaking his head. "I hope it does not come down to that."

"Don't worry. I'll intervene when truly necessary. Keep me updated. Oh, what happened to Morgan?"

Morgan Feriah was once a commander at the crossroads and a loyal NPC to the royal family during the Ironblood's reign.

"He's been brought into the royal service."

"Use him wisely. Don't let subordinates ruin what you've built."

"I'll take that advice to heart. Oh, and I almost forgot."

At that moment, Heinrich rang a bell. Jose Allai, the man who had been the prince's mask, came in with something.

He carefully placed an item wrapped in luxurious silk on the table.

"You didn't have to pay me upfront."

"It's not a payment for a mission. I just wanted to show my gratitude. I'd be grateful if you'd accept it."

"If you say so."

Seojin effortlessly untied the silk knot. Several fist-sized gemstones were revealed, unlike ordinary ore, glittered in various colors from purple to orange and teal.

As Seojin looked up, Heinrich smiled awkwardly.

"I heard you have ties with a master smith. I'm sure he'll be able to create something useful for you with these."

"These are incredibly valuable, aren't they?"

"Chosen from the royal treasury as the most fitting gift for you. And this too."

Seojin received a golden envelope, sealed with a red wax stamp bearing the emblem of a sword and shield.

"Use it whenever you find yourself in a situation where you need my name."

The high-quality parchment, stamped prominently with the royal seal, stated that Seojin's words and actions were equivalent to the will of the King of Valaran.

In other words.

"Causing trouble in the empire with this would lead to war."

"I am aware."

"And yet you're still giving this to me?"

"I know you're not that kind of person."

A firm trust was evident on the king's face.

"If you say so."

Seojin opened his quest window.

Act 1. The Throne and The Liar

*Entering the main episode.

It only said that he was entering the main episode. Realizing that everything up until now was just the beginning, Seojin looked back at Heinrich.

"Give me two more. For insurance, three would be better."

* * *

A man leisurely strolled through the capital. The atmosphere was festive. Almost every shop was practically giving away their goods for free, so even those without money could easily find a meal at the various stands. On this day, the residents of the capital seemed to have shed all stinginess.

The man, however, did not enjoy this.

'Where's the fun in all this?'

Getting everything for free was far from what he desired. Even items he would usually covet held no interest for him now.

But he couldn't afford to take a break from his work.

Just as he reached down to swipe a good-natured merchant's purse, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

"You scared me. Who are you?"

The man turned around leisurely, his face calm, as if he had committed no crime, but his composure didn't last.

"Kartna. Can we talk for a moment?"

"Kartna? Are you talking to me?"

"Seeing as you have no requests to replace the lord at the moment, you seem to be doing well. Right?"

"…Ah."

Kartna, the guild master of the Thieves Guild, finally recognized who he was facing.

It was Seojin, the adventurer who had once turned Erzebet into Dunkehr, and now, had completely upended this kingdom.

"To think you were so skilled yourself. It's been a long time. What a pleasant surprise."

"Aren't you wondering how I found you?"

"I am, but… would you even tell me?"

Inwardly, Kartna was dying to know. He had used every disguise skill at his disposal, changed his name and even his identity to attend the coronation. Of course the identity was that of a representative sent by the Valaran Thieves guild master, unfortunately unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.

That disguise should have still been effective.

Yet, Seojin had pinpointed his identity and location as if pulling an item from a pocket.

"I won't tell you."

"…I guessed as much. Where shall we go? I'm quite hungry."

"How about that terrace restaurant over there? Looks good. I'll pay."

"Isn't everything virtually free today?"

"I made it free, so I'm buying."

Kartna nodded dumbfoundedly.

"That makes sense."

The restaurant was bustling. After a brief wait, they found their desired spot.

After ordering food and taking a sip of water, Kartna spoke up, "So, what brings you to me?"

"You don't seem worried."

"Are you asking me to lend a hand again? Last time it was the lord's castle, is it the castle this time?"

"Why would I rob a place I just saved?"

"Of course, someone with admirable values such as yourself wouldn't resort to that."

"You sound disappointed."

"We share a similar philosophy, don't we? Doing what we find to be fun…"

"Not on this land, at least."

"I didn't know you had a hobby for posing riddles. Let me think, not this land… must be beyond the borders."

"That's right."

Kartna immediately raised his hands.

"I'm staying out of it. My life is too precious to die just yet."

"You think I plan to hunt dragons or something?"

"By the way you're speaking, you might actually do that someday. I can't even begin to match such grandeur."

"The Camilton Empire."

"Nope. Please leave me out of it."

"You have contacts there, right? Or rather, it's harder to find a place where you don't. Maybe deep inside Salevania."

"My domain only extends as far as Valaran. You know, despite being called the guild master of the Thieves Guild, I'm really just a common thief…"

Kartna sighed deeply. Seojin's gaze seemed to say he already knew everything.

"How did you even…"

Kartna trailed off, flabbergasted. Even adventurers couldn't grasp his true nature, unless they were thieves themselves, yet the man before him had seen beyond that.

"If this gets out, I'm dead. Literally. I'll die without even knowing what hit me in my sleep."

"Worried that word will get out that you spilled the beans?"

"Maybe it's already spread. Let's move somewhere else. Too many ears here."

"I only see good citizens."

"And am I not one too? I'm also a good cit… good at disguising myself as one."

"Where to, then?"

Kartna rolled his eyes, looking for hidden guild members and escape routes.

'There's no way out of this.'

Kartna was smart.

He might manage to escape now, but what about later? Could he really run forever from the man who had almost swallowed the kingdom?

Ultimately,

"…Let's go to my place."

Kartna had no choice but to leave with Seojin, albeit reluctantly.

* * *

Kartna led Seojin to a house located in a quiet corner of the capital. Opening the door with a key, Seojin exhaled in surprise.

"A real house?"

"We're people too, you know. Even thieves need a comfortable place to rest."

"You're still on about that?"

"It was a joke."

"And take off that disguise."

"Feels like baring myself in front of a drawn sword."

Kartna grumbled, but complied with Seojin's request.

Starting with removing a wig, he then applied some kind of chemical to his skin and began peeling it off.

His face was no exception. Pressing various spots on his face, his bones shifted with a crackling sound.

"I feel a bit more alive now."

"Thought you felt like you were laying yourself bare?"

"If I'm going to die anyway, might as well shed this cumbersome armor. It's resignation."

Kartna led the way again.

He pushed aside a casually placed table and gently pulled out a neatly arranged teacup. With a rumble, the floor opened, revealing a passageway.

"Seems you haven't changed a bit. Next time I look for you guys, I'll start by scouring the floors."

"If you just recklessly poke around, you'll only ruin good flooring. You know I take pride in this work."

Kartna descended below. The door closed automatically, and the table returned to its original position. The space that revealed itself was larger than Seojin had anticipated.

"I'll do the talking from here on."

Kartna pressed a red switch beside an iron door. After an incomprehensible exchange, the door opened. Inside, more than a hundred people were busily moving around.

"Guild master?"

"He's a client. I'll explain later."

"He doesn't look like one of our friends. Do we take requests from ordinary adventurers now?"

"If it's a special adventurer."

"How special?"

"Room 31. If there's anyone in there, get them out. No exceptions."

At that moment, the thieves' eyes evaluating Seojin filled with respect.

"…A top-tier client, indeed!"