episode_0003

“Damn it….”

As I struck my knee with a hammer, the words that came out of my mouth were beyond my control, just like my will.

Let me say it again, I am not obsessed with virginity and I am very lenient towards non-virgins.

However, it was extremely difficult to accept the fact that a king who ruled over a hellish world where most of the people despised non-virgins had married only a virgin.

From ancient times, it has been the virtue and duty of a king to enlighten the people. It is the nature of the world, and if you are a king, it is something you must naturally do.

But disregarding that duty and marrying a virgin, and on top of that, having sexual relations with 78 other women excluding his wife, this is more than the actions of a tyrant.

My sense of justice revolted against the foolish and wicked tyranny of this despicable tyrant, but even if I were to defend myself, there would be no improvement in this situation.

The complaint was nothing more than a small grumble, but considering the number of people gathered here, the room was small and quiet enough for everyone to notice.

The king’s brow furrowed. The knights had nothing to say, but it was easy to guess the reason as everyone’s faces turned red with anger.

All those bastards have experienced at least five or more women. A normal person wouldn’t have met that many women, so it’s clear that they must have picked up the leftover crumbs from that tyrant.

“…What did you just say? (Experience count: 79)”

“Huh? What?”

The king, whose complexion darkened, asked in a low voice, but I casually brushed it off.

It seems that they didn’t want to create a situation where they had to blush unnecessarily over there, so I sighed and changed the subject.

“…Looks like you misunderstood. Can I assume that coming here means you’ve heard everything from Priest Jarvis? (Experience count: 79)”

“You can assume that.”

“Then you must also know that it’s a heavy task for you. (Experience count: 79)”

“Of course, I know.”

Perhaps he didn’t expect an immediate response, as surprise flickered across the king’s face.

“I set out bravely, declaring that I would defeat the Demon King and return home. However, my determination wavered as I heard about other heroes from Jarvis along the way.”

“The other heroes are not like me, summoned from Earth. They are exceptional killing machines recognized by the gods, native to this world where swords and magic exist.”

“I don’t know what kind of people they are since I haven’t met them in person, but I am definitely not a match for them with only 18 months of military training.”

“But to think that I should defeat the Demon King, who grows faster than those humans, and I don’t even know where they are? This is beyond unfair. It’s as reckless as making a child who has just taken their first steps compete against track and field athletes.”

“I gave up on the idea of winning in this unfair fight from the very beginning.”

“The reason I came here was because I had resigned myself to reality. It was to survive in this place that would become the foundation of my new life.”

“Even if you don’t have high expectations of me, is it okay?” (Note: The quotation mark at the beginning of this sentence is missing in the original text.)

“Well… That’s right. It’s not something I would say in front of you, but I don’t think you can defeat the Demon King. (Experience Points: 79)”

“With his mana-less body and a physique that clearly hasn’t been trained for combat, he wouldn’t bother asking how I appeared in his eyes.”

“So… What did you do before coming here? (Experience Points: 79)”

“I was a cook.”

“A, a cook…?! (Experience Points: 12)”

Instead, one of them shouted while competing.

“If you’re just a lowly cook making food in the kitchen, what kind of hero are you? If this were Earth, you would be ridiculed and driven away for such a statement.”

Well, it’s obvious. Even doctors were despised during the Joseon Dynasty, so how could a cook be treated any better in a fantasy world?

Moreover, what they expected was a hero who would defeat the Demon King and bring light to the world.

So I couldn’t help but feel that my heart was being undermined, considering all the efforts and career I had built up until now, and I couldn’t just let it go without saying a word.

“If you’re bothered by the fact that someone who used to cook is now a hero, I don’t mind leaving like this. If you have no further business with me, should I just leave?”

“My apologies for the intrusion. Let me apologize instead. Now, let’s get to the point. As you may already know, the hero who defeated the Demon King is granted one wish. (Experience Points: 79)”

Of course, even if it’s called a wish, it doesn’t mean that any wish will be granted.

Asking to increase the number of wishes or annihilate all humans on the continent, for example, are unreasonable wishes that even a god cannot grant.

On the other hand, it meant that if it’s not such an unreasonable wish but a wish that can be granted within reason, then any wish could be made.

“The fate of the continent has always been influenced by those wishes. If possible, it would be nice if our kingdom could obtain the right to make a wish, but that dream has become impossible now. (Experience Points: 79)”

“…Judging by the fact that you went so far as to mention the Holy Land and talk about that, it must be because you find me useful. Are you telling me to work under another hero?”

“You… seem to be more clever than I thought. (Experience Points: 79)”

While I may not be fully aware of the circumstances in each country, if national power and the strength of heroes are evenly matched, the side with even a little more power will be the winner.

I am a hero chosen by the gods, not just some half-hearted person. My potential cannot be ignored. That’s why the king saw value in using me as a bargaining chip.

“I don’t like it.”

That attitude of treating me like an object really annoys me, but as someone who has no power at all, I had no other choice.

To be honest, I would rather just open a restaurant and serve food, but that wasn’t a realistic option in my penniless situation.

“…From what I’ve heard, it seems like you’ll continue to thrive even after subduing the Demon King.”

“Well, that’s right. Power is still necessary even after the war ends. (Experience Points: 79)”

“Then, what will you do with that power?”

“First, noble rank and territory. The royal lineage and my daughter, Penny. Come forth, Penny. (Experience Points: 79)”

“…. (Experience Points: 1)”

A woman, who had previously glared at me with eyes that could kill in the temple as if she would, steps forward.

With a sinister aura enveloping her body like a veil when she raises her hand, her eyes are filled with disgust and resentment towards me.

“This is my daughter, Penelope D’Ariaron. I will bless this child with the alliance of a warrior and the royal family, and give her to you as your wife. (Experience Points: 79)”

“….”

Upon the king’s words, my gaze naturally turns to the newly appeared fiancée.

Crimson hair, resembling blood, rarely seen in Korea, exquisite beauty resembling her mother, the queen, and a beautiful physique emanating from a trained body.

Everything was captivating enough to hold one’s gaze, but my eyes were focused not on her body but above her head.

The moment I saw that sentence, which would follow me like an indelible stigma for the rest of my life, my mouth involuntarily opened again.

“Don’t you have any other daughters?”

“What?! (Experience Points: 12)”

Once again, the room began to stir. This time, the knights, unable to contain themselves, placed their hands on their sword hilts and glared at me intensely.

Especially the knights around Princess Penny were particularly severe. It seemed like they would have split my head open if I weren’t a warrior.

“You, scoundrel!!! Do you think being a warrior means we’ll forgive anything you say?! (Experience Points: 7)”

“The princess is someone that the likes of you shouldn’t even be able to look at!! (Experience Points: 9)”

“Apologize immediately!! (Experience Points: 16)”

As time passed, the atmosphere in the room did not calm down but rather intensified, as if pouring oil into a fire, making it feel like violence would immediately engulf me.

Among them, Princess Penny was the most furious. While others stopped at raising their fists, she had already drawn her sword.

The bright white blade illuminated by the room’s lighting sent chills down my spine just by looking at it, but I had no intention of apologizing.

Apologies are actions taken by those entangled in guilt. I, who have not committed any wrongdoing, had no words to utter.

“Stop!! (Experience Acquisition: 79 people)”

The flames of anger that fiercely burned within the man who had slept with the most women in this room quickly evolved.

However, it did not mean safety for me. The anger of the nobles and knights may have been suppressed by the king, but the king’s anger still blazed on.

His wrinkled fist clenched, and a blue aura that could only be described as an aura began to emanate from his entire body.

Is that the mana I’ve only heard about? As I shrank back in an instant due to the ominous energy, the king spoke.

“…Penny is my illegitimate daughter. I don’t have any other daughters, but do you have any complaints? (Experience Acquisition: 79 people)”

“Damn it!! I should have been prepared!!”

“… (Experience Acquisition: 79 people)”

When the king raised his hand, the knights rushed towards me.

It seems like I’m fucked.