Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Reward
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Here, eat your fill! Haha!"
The plump-faced lord raised his glass high and spoke with hearty cheer.
The banquet included the castle's key retainers, the lord himself, knights, and even the apprentice knight who had been the on-site commander. Post-battle cleanup had been handed off to the other commanders.
The lord and his retainers showered Do-yoon with praise, bending over backward to flatter him.
A top-tier apostle—one it was nearly impossible to meet outside of a full-scale war. In these war-torn times, forging ties with such a powerhouse was worth its weight in gold.
Moreover, the lord had nearly had his nose bloodied this time.
'I'd forgotten. Our city sits on the front lines, the most exposed to wartime threats!'
The city's fate had teetered on the brink of total ruin. Yet that crisis had vanished thanks to the single apostle who happened to be here.
The lord and retainers had heard tales of Do-yoon's exploits from the knights and soldiers. Anxious to build a friendly rapport with the elite apostle before them, they were eager to impress.
But Do-yoon simply ate in silence, savoring his food.
Enoch was seasoned in politics. Chit-chatting to build superficial alliances wasn't his style.
Connections forged that way offered no help in clutch moments. Do-yoon knew this from experience.
Instead, he preferred a different approach.
The unjust would grovel for scraps, treading lightly on their own.
The righteous would be inspired by his ideals and join his cause in time.
That was enough. No need to schmooze with schemers—just do your job quietly. This was how the hero Războinic handled people.
Meanwhile, the lord and retainers watched Do-yoon eat, their eyes gleaming.
'Etiquette and refinement radiate from him naturally.'
After washing up and changing clothes, his refined features exuded noble grace and charisma.
'He's accustomed to dealing with aristocrats.'
That meant he was likely resistant to intrigue. Sure enough, he hadn't budged under their flattery or probing questions.
They'd been circling his name, affiliation, and background indirectly. But he'd only revealed he was with World Tree, giving nothing else away.
The lord asked Do-yoon again.
"You mentioned World Tree—how did you arrive here so quickly? Did they send you via personal teleportation or something?"
"No. It was coincidence I was here, but the Master urgently ordered me to join the fight and defend the city."
Do-yoon lied for World Tree's reputation. No one could prove otherwise.
"Ah...!"
It was a fishing question for info, but everyone marveled at his answer.
World Tree indeed. How noble and grateful they were!
They'd also been the first alongside Muspelheim to dispatch reinforcements. It was no wonder they claimed to be the kingdom's top guild—perhaps their fame was understated.
'And with hidden power like that...!'
Even a guild like World Tree couldn't have mountains of apostles at this man's level. If such a hero was affiliated with them, his prowess and name should be renowned alongside the guild.
Yet no one here had heard of him. And he was still hiding his identity.
That meant...
'He's World Tree's hidden blade.'
They decided not to pry further. Respect for the city's savior trumped digging for intel.
But they couldn't back down entirely.
'We must build friendly ties with this apostle—no, with World Tree itself, no matter what!'
Swift, principled action. Hidden strength like the man before them.
To those who'd nearly lost their city once, World Tree seemed irresistibly appealing.
Rockenmeyer's guilds were subpar, making the contrast starker. World Tree, based in the capital, was leagues beyond those lip-service mercenaries. The comparisons were inevitable.
But this opponent couldn't be swayed by schemes. Better to...
'Go straight at it.'
Steeling himself, the lord spoke up.
"...I'll be direct. Our city wants friendly relations with World Tree—and with you, Apostle."
Do-yoon set down his fork and knife, dabbing his mouth with a napkin as he met the lord's gaze.
A straightforward, sincere opener—unlike the earlier flattery. This seemed worth hearing out.
"By protocol, war merit rewards come from the royals, not the city. We can offer our own token, but it won't satisfy."
Do-yoon fixed him with a steady look, urging him on.
"This city thrives on monster-hunting byproducts, making it Rockenmeyer's economic hub. We wield no small influence in the royal court."
"I see."
"We can lean on the royals to upgrade your reward and steer it your way. For instance..."
The lord glanced at a knight.
"...we could open the royal vault for a divine weapon treated as a sacred relic."
"..."
Do-yoon stroked his chin with thumb and forefinger. Tempting offer.
'The knight must have mentioned I lack a sword.'
Not bad at all. The guy had real savvy.
His character appealed too. Unlike other nobles harboring sleazy rats and fat pigs, he'd quickly read Do-yoon's nature and pivoted strategy.
It served his own interests, sure—but aligning with Do-yoon was commendable. Un-noble thinking.
"Any particular weapon type in mind?"
"...A spear for javelin throws."
"A spear?"
Do-yoon nodded.
Swords could be acquired many ways. He could wait for the rainbow over Enoch's armory someday. Or likely snag one from Buske's gallery.
Javelins were trickier.
Not what the lord expected, but he didn't mind. What mattered was granting the man's wish.
"Understood. Word is, Rockenmeyer royals have two fine javelins. I'll push to release them."
"And support World Tree politically when the time comes. That should get you what you want, Lord."
"Agreed. Thank you."
The lord dipped his head slightly in thanks. The retainers, pleased with the deal, resumed eating.
The finance retainer eyed Do-yoon's emptying glass, then loudly signaled a maid without summoning her directly.
"The hero's cup runs low! Bring more wine!"
A cue for the premium reserve saved for VIPs.
Mutual schemes forgotten, goodwill reigned. Amid genuine smiles, the real feast began.
With the wine hitting just right and his face flushed, the lord turned to the apprentice knight.
"Right! You were the interim commander on-site. Tough break—trouble strikes right when you're filling in. What rotten luck! Haha!"
"N-no, sir."
The seat amid lords and retainers felt excruciating.
Partly their high status, but guilt gnawed at him too.
He barely tasted his food.
"Hm? Wait—didn't you escort the apostle to the walls too?"
The apprentice knight flinched hard.
"Surely you weren't rude to him! Haha!"
The lord chuckled over his wine, meaning it as idle jest. But the apprentice paled, sweating bullets.
Do-yoon silently sliced meat. To him, the squire lacked mental fortitude for his station. That was it. Do-yoon wasn't one to hold grudges over treatment.
But the squire's nerves shattered under the silence, his pupils trembling. His knight noticed and sent him back to his room, assuming war trauma.
Later, he reportedly vomited up the entire meal.
And shortly after, World Tree's relief force arrived at the castle to retrieve Do-yoon.