episode_0090

The puppet master is dead.

The warrior party has already finished subduing the second Four Heavenly Kings.

And it would be too shallow an analysis to think that this is simply because one of the Four Heavenly Kings died.

Originally, the puppet master was the most well-known name among the Four Heavenly Kings in the human world.

He was the one who invaded the human world the most, and naturally, he was the one who caused the most deaths.

As such, the fear of the puppet government had spread throughout the continent.

If you just look through the history books, you’ll find out how this guy attacked people. That’s because he lived that long.

But that puppet master died. Thanks to that, the human world was in a festive mood.

Even more so than during the time of King Chungwang Balkan. Now, no one doubted the warrior’s character, but no one doubted his skills.

Catching the second Four Heavenly King would be no accident.

And that means······.

“Now your voice will have more power.”

There are those who worry about his political influence, whether he wants it or not.

Thanks to this, many people have become aware of the warrior.

A man with silver hair and purple eyes, just like Deila.

“Should I try to persuade her a little···.”

The First Prince, Ian Fieldor, was one of them. He began to take notice of the warrior.

*

I had hoped for a quiet return, but unfortunately we were destined to face hardships from the moment we arrived in the Empire.

This is because there were many knights and nobles there from the beginning of the empire. Fortunately, they were not hostile to us.

Rather, it is to welcome us.

“Welcome! Thank you for your hard work!”

“Congratulations on your safe return!”

As soon as they spot us, they immediately bend down at a 90-degree angle. They stay in that position for several minutes as we approach. To be honest, it was a little bit uncomfortable.

“I already heard the news. You caught the puppet net, right?”

“As expected, you are a warrior. What have you done this time?”

The reason it’s burdensome is not simply because it’s excessive favor.

More precisely, because I know that it is a decorated favor.

‘That’s funny.’

You must be thinking to yourself, ‘Is this also a hero?’, ‘But I have to get the beans, so I have to endure it even if it’s dirty.’

I can guarantee it. I could bet my remaining 40 years of life on that.

Because I know that the curse is still in effect on my body. Unfortunately, even though the curse was lifted in exile, it doesn’t mean that it will remain in effect forever.

The gloomy face of Yulis as soon as he came out of exile was proof of this.

Anyway, that’s why the people who are currently showing me favor can’t help but look really hypocritical.

That’s why I had to speak a little sharply.

“Everyone, shut up. I’m already tired, and you’re babbling nonsense. Anyone who talks from now on will have their tongues pulled out by myself.”

“Ah······.”

“Sorry, sorry···.”

Only then could I go a little more quietly.

Everyone had a shit-eating expression on their face, but no one said anything.

Because unlike then, both fame and achievements have increased.

Although he may seem like a lowly third-rate thug, he is someone who has defeated two of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Now, it is a situation where you have to be careful with what you say even behind someone’s back.

“Hoo···.”

It wasn’t just me who felt burdened, the party members were finally able to go on their way comfortably.

Still, the trip itself was comfortable because the guys prepared carriages and other amenities.

So, we arrived at the capital of the empire, and a few days later, a banquet was held.

“Here is the warrior Luke, who has driven away disaster once more!”

The palace gates open with the voice of the host, who has become more skilled than last time.

This time too, the crowd was large.

The nobles of each country spread across the continent, their servants, and numerous powerful men. Among those powerful men was Pharrell Douglas, whom we met last time.

Unfortunately, Jess Cuban and Bali Mac Gough were not seen.

Even if Jess was injured, I don’t know why that guy McGuff didn’t come.

But what’s more surprising is that this time even the emperor didn’t participate.

“We warmly welcome you who have safely completed the difficult journey.”

Instead, there was someone else on stage.

Crown Prince, Ian Fieldor.

A cynical handsome man with the luxurious silver hair and purple eyes characteristic of the royal family. Even the second princess, Elvira, stood next to him as if assisting him.

“This time, I’m the one who gets to celebrate. Sorry, my father is sick right now.”

“··· Is there an emperor in the world?”

“······ It looks like your condition is not very good.”

The nobles around me started to gossip at the word ‘fighting illness’. I couldn’t help but stiffen my face for a moment.

This analysis is too shallow if we simply think that the emperor is ill.

‘It seems like they’re about to hand over the crown…’

The Emperor was slowly preparing to choose the next Emperor. The problem was that the Crown Prince had to stand on the podium. And on such a grand occasion to celebrate the return of the warrior.

At this moment, there were not only nobles of the empire, but also many diplomats and high-ranking nobles from other countries.

And they will imprint the face of the Crown Prince in their minds instead of the Emperor.

Perhaps in the future, Crown Prince Ian will often appear in other events in his place.

‘It’s not good···.’

I sighed inwardly. The time for the transfer of power was coming much sooner than I thought.

I hope it happens after the power of the Third Princess, Deila, has been established to some extent.

“Come to think of it, you hated useless formalities. I don’t know your heart, so I won’t continue the public speech. I hope you enjoy the banquet.”

After saying that, the crown prince leisurely came down from the stage. Seeing this, the second princess Elvira followed him anxiously.

Damn, I was so embarrassed I missed the chance to make a scene.

I had no choice but to go to a nearby table and drink alcohol or a soda.

I had to pretend to be drunk, after all. I picked up an expensive-looking bottle of wine and drank it roughly.

“Ugh, shit··· It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink.”

bang!

After downing a bottle like that in one shot, he slammed it down on the table. He didn’t forget to blush with ‘blood flow acceleration’.

“Huh······.”

“Still ignorant···.”

The nobles still mutter a few words. However, the frequency of gossip has decreased significantly, as few people ignore my achievements anymore.

In the past, I was a third-rate thug who was suspicious of being a warrior, but now I have risen to the level of a thug who is ignorant and trashy, but has skills.

Thanks to that, it was not easy to ignore it even from behind.

Thanks to that, I didn’t have to waste my energy unnecessarily, so that was really good. And anyway, the nobles’ attention would be focused on the crown prince right now.

It was still visible.

This is the sight of numerous nobles gathering around Crown Prince Ian as he comes down from the podium.

Most of them were from the 1st Prince faction, and there were also nobles who wanted to join the 1st Prince faction.

In fact, the succession to the throne has been confirmed in the hands of the First Prince, so they are trying to get in line even now.

As someone who supports the Third Princess, it was a truly disappointing scene.

Anyway, just play around there.

‘Where is Deila?’

If the first prince had participated, then Dale would have definitely participated too.

As I looked around the banquet hall, I saw Deila sitting in the corner.

He was sitting alone, lonely and desolate, like an outcast in the political world. His hunched shoulders looked dejected just by looking at him. But even in such a situation, his eyes were shining, so I thought he had great determination.

‘I’d like to at least talk to you once, but…’

Unfortunately, that couldn’t be the case. The alliance we had formed was strictly a secret alliance.

On the surface, he was someone I had no ties to. I couldn’t speak to him without hesitation in a place where so many eyes were watching me.

So I decided to just drink alcohol. I ate some delicious snacks while blowing on the bottle like I usually do.

“Nice to meet you, warrior. If you don’t mind, let’s talk for a moment······.”

“Get out.”

I also drive away the bad nobles who come to me.

Perhaps because of my experience at the last banquet, fortunately there were hardly any nobles who approached me.

Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy the banquet relatively comfortably. As expected of a palace, the food itself was delicious. I hope they don’t keep coming to me like this in the future so I can eat.

But my hopes were soon shattered.

“I’m glad you’re having fun.”

Because there were some particularly big people approaching me. Mainly in the power group.

The man who was talking nonsense with my faction just now. Ian von Fieldor.

“How about it, if it’s okay with you, would you like to do a piece with me? I have something I want to talk about with you.”

He shakes off my men and stands before me, with a fake smile on his face.

Behind him, nobles were seen looking at the prince with surprised faces.

‘really······.’

My expression began to rot in real time.