Chapter 89 089

'Something must have happened.'

Seojin pondered how to handle this unexpected turn of events. He had already revealed his relationship with the King, but it looked like Morgan was still unsure.

'I originally came here just to deliver a message, but…'

Seojin had initially thought that it would be better to contact the minister of finances instead of negotiating directly with the King, but now, it seemed that Morgan couldn't do him any favors.

"Okay, I'll tell you. An adventurer on your level should take into consideration the honor of the palace."

"Of course. As I've mentioned, I've defeated the evil demons and helped Count Drake see the error of his ways."

"Yes, that's why," Morgan replied with a heavy sigh. "I'm being put in check by those who see me an eyesore."

"Put in check?"

"I'm a Human Resources Officer. They think that by controlling me, they can have a bigger influence on adventurers. How delusional."

Seojin finally understood what being checked meant. Morgan's role was to help novice adventurers grow and connect competent ones to the King. However, adventurers were different from NPCs. They couldn't die and possessed power that no other mortals could control. It was only natural that some of the higher-up NPCs didn't appreciate it.

"Are they concerned about a rebellion?"

"No. They know that adventurers do not covet the throne, so the possibility of a rebellion isn't a concern."

Morgan was right. Players with titles had to deal with many restrictions, so they wouldn't want the throne anyway.

'I've heard that players with titles can't even play the game normally. It seems like the developers didn't want any single player to have too much power.'

Then what was the problem?

"Those filthy old goats should focus on dealing with Ironblood before worrying about anything else."

"Ironblood, you say…"

"I'll be blunt here, but if the players did want the throne, the palace would've been taken over by the greedy ones already, helmed by Ironblood."

"You're right."

Morgan was being honest now that he knew about Seojin's achievements, connections, and the damage he had inflicted on Ironblood.

"Everyone in the know knows about Ironblood encroaching on this country. Even His Majesty knows, but the corruption has spread too far and too deep."

"Because adventurers don't die."

"That's the biggest obstacle."

If Ironblood were killable, the King would have wiped them out already. However, if they did that, Ironblood would just end up regrouping and launching a counter-offensive within a week. The King of Valaran had no choice but to watch, even though he knew about the corruption that they were spreading.

"I heard that Ironblood has already made an offer to His Majesty, promising to treat him well and respect the royal family… arrogant bastards."

The King, however, did not fall for their deceitful proposal and rejected it outright. It was dead obvious that joining hands with them was a path of no return.

"I'm grateful that His Majesty didn't give in. That's what's keeping Ironblood from crossing the last line," he added.

"You're absolutely right. Now… Morgan…" Seojin paused for a moment before asking, "Is Ironblood connected to those who are pressuring you?"

That was the crucial question. Morgan immediately began cursing Ironblood while discussing their superiors. Seojin knew that he was not one to ramble, so he was certain that Morgan's outburst was significant.

"They are," Morgan affirmed.

"I knew it, those who are keeping you in check have already aligned themselves with Ironblood, haven't they?" Seojin asked.

"Yes. Those ugly old fogeys claim that they want to keep adventurers on a tight leash, but in reality, they're just hunting down anyone who poses a potential threat to Ironblood," Morgan replied bitterly.

'How could NPCs so blatantly side with players?'

Morgan let out a sigh and Seojin laughed wryly.

"They'll summon me again now that you've accomplished so much. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind when they grill me for hours and keep asking the same questions."

"Were you summoned over something else last time?"

"It was just a routine call. They're conditioning me, so that I don't think about anything unnecessary."

Whoever it was, they were going full-in, seeing as how Morgan even called it a "routine" call.

"Does even His Majesty have to tread on ice around them?"

"Nonsense. He simply can't afford to pay attention to everything. I didn't report this to him. His Majesty has much more important matters to attend to."

Seojin agreed with that. Someone who had the courage to tell Ironblood to leave shouldn't be so easily swayed. Morgan was too loyal to bother his King with his own problems.

'That also means he trusts me.'

As they say, the enemy of one's enemy was one's friend. So, what was keeping Morgan Feriah from becoming Seojin's ally?

'He's hostile to Ironblood, maintains a cordial relationship with the royals, and our interests align for the most part.'

The problem was that Morgan wasn't in good shape, like a sinking boat with a broken oar.

"Morgan, I have a proposal for you."

Fortunately, Seojin could do something about that.

* * *

The NPC in charge of the base isn't here. Substitute NPC placed.

Morgan Feriah, the man in charge of the Three Crossroads, was away again. Novice players might not have cared, but that wasn't the case for Seojin.

'He'll probably be back soon.'

Morgan had ridden his horse to the capital, carrying Seojin's "gift" of forty thousand gold in his pocket.

'Surely the King will remember my name with that amount of money.'

Seojin had already sent loot from Count Drake's estate to the King, but this was different. This was Seojin's own money, and he wanted to show the King that he was willing to spend it for the kingdom's benefit.

'I gotta give them a sign that I could've swallowed it all but didn't. So, they'll think I like them.'

Seojin had another reason for trying to make ties with the palace. He needed a personal connection to make a request. No amount of contribution would be enough for a mere adventurer to "request" something from the palace.

He had explained his plan to Morgan around thirty minutes ago.

"Ironblood is a giant organization. They can recover from any loss given enough time. So, I'll force them to create a weakness by themselves, to inflict catastrophic damage even to them."

Seojin had made a deal with Robert to ransack three of Ironblood's bases, but that would be recoverable damage to Ironblood.

"I found Robert's key cash cows. One of them is Shahav, and I informed them that I will go there."

He could easily predict Robert's next actions. Seojin was about to strike his weak point, so he wouldn't just stand still and allow himself to get hit. He would quickly hide his valuables in a safe place and sigh with relief, thinking that it was just a close call.

However, what if the same thing were to repeat again?

"I'll go for their key bases again, and this time, I'll let them know a bit late so they won't be able to hide everything."

"You'll get them off-guard."

"Yeah, it'd be out of the blue for them. They'll think I know all of their weaknesses."

"So? What's your intention?"

"They'll know I'm hot on their heels, and they'll hide their valuables away on their own accord. They'll probably split them up into a few key locations. The Robert I know would do that."

"That's their weakness that you're going to make for them?"

"Yes. If those places are robbed all at once, even the almighty Ironblood would have hard time lasting."

"That's being too optimistic. They also have the option to scatter their wealth throughout the whole country. With their scale, they should be able to do that."

"That will never happen," Seojin said with conviction to ease Morgan's worries, "Robert doesn't trust anyone. He'll keep things where he can see them. He's just that type of guy."

Morgan was unable to refute that. He simply asked with his eyes filled with hope, "What can we do for you?"

"Ask His Majesty to watch their movements with everything at his disposal."

"It's not because we do not know that we are not striking them."

"You probably couldn't strike them even if you knew. I know that. I'll set up everything."

"If you fail…"

"At least it will pose a threat to them and make them more cautious. I'm asking you again just in case, Morgan…"

"…"

"Have you ever tried to resist in this way before?"

That was enough. Morgan didn't ask any more questions and rode off on his horse to meet the King.

Three Crossroads: Key NPC has returned.

Three hours later, Morgan Feriah returned to the settlement with a wide smile, having completed his mission in a flash thanks to the fact he was an NPC.

* * *

"Those old fogeys tried to grill me again as soon as I got there. Do you want to hear what I said to them?"

Morgan looked like a completely different person now, even more energetic than when Seojin had first met him.

'He must be motivated now.'

He was loyal to the King, but that was it. Such a reality would have been a burden on his shoulders until now. It was different now since Seojin had given him a mission to do. There was no way he couldn't be happy about it.

"His Majesty accepted your request. He gets things done if he chooses to, so you don't have to worry about it."

"Does he know about me?"

"Yes, in detail even. I was surprised, to be honest. He looked pleased upon hearing your name. Be sure to pay a visit to him. He didn't say it, but he seemed to want it."

It was surprising that the King welcomed Seojin. It looked like his fame in Valaran was more influential than expected. He had been planning to contact the Minister of finances, but it looked like things could be much easier.

"Take this with you, too. It's a gift from His Majesty."

"A magic ball?" Seojin asked, examining it closely.

"It'll allow you to contact me anytime, anywhere."

Magic Communication Ball – Special S grade

* A communication tool that the royal wizard of Valaran, Azazel, put his heart and soul into. Communications can be exchanged in any environment.

* Indestructible.

* Duration: Unlimited.

* Cooldown: None.

Seojin was impressed. It was a valuable item that could prove useful in critical situations.

"You mentioned you were heading to Shahav, correct?"

"Yes."

"Remember that the rightful master of this land is behind you now, and never forget it."

There was no way he could forget. He'd paid a whopping forty thousand gold, so he had to gain something or other from the King. Regardless, Seojin spoke with a determined look on his face, almost as if he was the last knight of a falling kingdom.

"I will never forget it, under any circumstances," he vowed.