“One thing is certain.”

“What is it?”

“That the Holy Empire of Gatren is involved in this incident.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a confident expression.

“Why do you think that?”

Rachel couldn’t understand.

How could he be so sure about Gatren’s involvement?

All that’s been revealed is that Ian Del Chersi is plotting something.

There were no traces of Gatren anywhere.

“What evidence makes you so sure? Besides, wasn’t that blue fox supposed to hate Gatren?”

The reason Choi Hyun-seok came this time was to shake off Gatren’s influence.

Ian Del Chersi had been actively helping Choi Hyun-seok.

The circumstances didn’t match up with her being under Gatren’s influence.

“That’s true. I don’t know whether Ian is Gatren’s subordinate or not.”

“Then why are you so sure Gatren is involved?”

“Because the Hero Quest hasn’t been cleared yet.”

Choi Hyun-seok checked the Hero Quest he received before coming here.

★☆★☆ Hero Quest! ★☆★☆

The Kingdom of Chersi is in crisis!

As a legendary hero, you can’t ignore them!

Save the Kingdom of Chersi by shaking off the evil clutches of Gatren!

* Objective: Drive out Gatren’s forces from the Kingdom of Chersi

* Reward: Massive experience points and 3,000 Hero Points

Choi Hyun-seok kept thinking it was strange.

He clearly succeeded in bringing down the hardliners in the Kingdom of Chersi.

No, the hardliners were rapidly losing power across the entire continent.

He had actually exceeded the quest objective.

It was strange that he hadn’t even heard about the quest being cleared when he should be getting additional rewards.

“The fact that the quest hasn’t been cleared means Gatren’s schemes still remain. If Ian is causing some incident here, there’s a high chance Gatren is involved.”

“Ah! That’s really true!”

Rachel clapped her hands, seemingly genuinely impressed.

“Hero! You look unusually intelligent today! Did you eat something wrong… Ouch!”

“I’ve always been intelligent.”

Choi Hyun-seok flicked Rachel’s forehead and continued.

“Anyway, Gatren is involved in whatever incident Ian Del Chersi is trying to cause. My instincts tell me so.”

“Hmm, then what do we do now? We don’t even know exactly what that fox is trying to do.”

“That’s why we need to gather information.”

“How?”

Choi Hyun-seok grinned at Rachel’s question.

“The king here is my buddy.”

“Buddy?”

“It means friend. If I ask the king for a meal, he’ll probably make time even today.”

First, they needed to investigate the royal family, who were the key figures.

Having made his decision, Choi Hyun-seok immediately headed to King Mollin’s office.

***

That evening.

Choi Hyun-seok was invited to dine with the royal family.

King Mollin Del Chersi.

His wife Sophie Nel Chersi.

Daughter Ian, and two sons Kian and Logan.

Only the royalty and Choi Hyun-seok were present.

Dining with royalty.

It would have been nerve-wracking in the past, but not anymore.

Having gained legendary power and become familiar with leaders of various factions.

Such occasions were now more comfortable than unfamiliar.

As he entered the dining room, King Mollin welcomed him with a bright smile.

“Welcome! Lord Polkil. To think you would suggest a meal first. It seems my sincerity has reached you. Hahaha!”

King Mollin seemed genuinely pleased.

Despite making numerous advances that were all rejected, he couldn’t help but be happy that Choi Hyun-seok approached first.

“Come, come, you must be hungry. Let’s talk over dinner. I specially instructed them to pay attention to the meal since Lord Polkil would be joining us today.”

“Thank you.”

The meal proceeded in a warm atmosphere.

The food was delicious.

King Mollin spoke with a constant smile.

“All nations of the continent are watching the Kingdom of Chersi. Because we’ve become a symbol of peace. I think now is the time for the Kingdom of Chersi to take a leap forward.”

King Mollin’s voice was excited.

The Kingdom of Chersi wasn’t particularly powerful since its founding, and that remains true today.

They always had to be mindful of neighboring kingdoms, especially having to bow down to Gatren and Drason.

But not anymore.

The first treaty between humans and demons.

Because of this, the Kingdom of Chersi became a symbol of peace and reached a position where other kingdoms couldn’t carelessly interfere.

“If we solidify our position as a neutral peaceful nation like this, I believe the Kingdom of Chersi will forever remain synonymous with continental peace.”

“That’s an excellent thought.”

Choi Hyun-seok appropriately agreed and sympathized with King Mollin’s words.

‘He’s definitely a smart man.’

King Mollin is a man who knew how to seize given opportunities.

With his decisiveness and drive, he would surely be able to achieve his vision.

‘If only there’s no interference from Gatren.’

Choi Hyun-seok discreetly observed the others.

He didn’t arrange this meeting just to eat.

The real purpose was to gather information about Ian and the two princes.

‘If Gatren is planning something, there’s a high chance one of the people here is their pawn.’

He was over 90% certain.

There must be Gatren’s pawn here, and it’s likely either Prince Kian who has connections to Gatren, or Ian who is plotting something.

As Choi Hyun-seok’s thoughts deepened.

The king brought up a different topic.

“Ah, Lord Polkil. There will be a grand party at the palace in a few days. Would you like to attend?”

“A party?”

“Yes! It’s a party to commemorate peace. All the high nobles of the kingdom will gather to celebrate and strengthen bonds.”

At that moment, Choi Hyun-seok’s eyes lit up.

‘This is it.’

He could tell instinctively.

Whatever Ian Del Chersi was plotting.

And the timing of Gatren Empire’s move.

Everything must be connected to this party.

“If you’re inviting me, I’d be grateful…”

“Father.”

Just as he was about to accept the invitation.

The first son Kian interrupted.

“The party is for uniting the nobles of our Chersi Kingdom! It’s not right for an outsider, especially someone who isn’t even a noble, to participate!”

Kian firmly opposed Choi Hyun-seok’s attendance.

“I agree with Kian. I think Lord Polkil’s attendance would undermine the party’s identity as a gathering for kingdom nobles.”

Even Ian supported Kian’s words and opposed Choi Hyun-seok’s attendance.

Choi Hyun-seok observed them carefully.

‘First son Kian. The one under Gatren’s protection. As expected, he must be planning something that day.’

He then turned his gaze to Ian.

‘There’s no apparent connection between Ian and Gatren. Then it’s one of two things. Either she’s planning something independently, or there’s a secret connection with Gatren that I don’t know about.’

While Choi Hyun-seok was examining their intentions.

King Mollin was trying to compose his startled feelings.

He seemed somewhat surprised that his daughter and son opposed Choi Hyun-seok’s attendance.

“Your words aren’t wrong. However, Lord Polkil is our benefactor who came to help our kingdom. He’s not affiliated with any other nation.”

“That’s exactly the problem. His identity is unclear. If that man harbors ill intentions, all the nobles at the gathering could be massacred.”

Kian’s words were reasonable.

The party is where all high nobles of the kingdom gather.

If Choi Hyun-seok wanted to, he could have an opportunity to kill all of Chersi Kingdom’s leadership within 10 minutes.

‘I understand, but normally people wouldn’t say such things directly to someone’s face.’

It was essentially the same as saying ‘We can’t accept you because you might be a villain or murderer!’ right to Choi Hyun-seok’s face.

Choi Hyun-seok smirked.

Though it was offensive, what could he do?

If they insisted that much, there was no need to force his attendance at the party.

He could just find another way.

“If that’s how you feel, I…”

Just as Choi Hyun-seok was about to decline the party invitation.

King Mollin suddenly stood up and shouted with a reddened face.

“Kian, you fool! How dare you speak so rudely before an honored guest! Lord Polkil is my guest! Don’t you realize your words not only disrespect the guest but also insult me, your king!”

His voice was loud enough to shake the dining room.

Choi Hyun-seok looked at the king with round eyes.

“Ah… It’s fine. You don’t need to go that far…”

“No! This is my fault for failing to properly educate my child! Lord Polkil, I sincerely apologize.”

The king bowed his head in apology.

Kian lowered his head but couldn’t hide his resentful expression.

‘Well, I suppose this worked out. I didn’t necessarily need a formal invitation to the party, but this makes things easier.’

Honestly, whether he was invited or not didn’t matter, but it was better to be invited and move freely.

Sneaking in would have been troublesome in many ways.

He calmed the agitated King Mollin and eased the atmosphere.

‘This man, he’s surprisingly hot-tempered.’

He hadn’t noticed because the king always conversed with a smiling face, but he is a man with a fiery temper.

Anyway, the meal continued.

And ended in a not-too-bad atmosphere.

After returning to his room, Choi Hyun-seok closed his eyes thinking about tomorrow’s tasks.

‘Tomorrow, let’s focus on investigating the first son Kian.’

Kian, who tried to stop him in any way possible.

As someone under Gatren’s protection, he is currently the most likely suspect.

***

The next morning.

The palace was bustling from the early hours.

“What’s going on?”

Just as he was wondering about the commotion outside.

Suddenly the door burst open and armed royal knights rushed in.

“What’s the matter?”

Choi Hyun-seok blankly stared at the royal knights.

“Dugal Polkil. You need to come with us.”

“What?”

They suddenly barge in and tell him to come along.

When Choi Hyun-seok remained still, the knight who appeared to be the senior officer spoke.

“There are rumors that you sexually and verbally harassed a palace maid and a female priestess of the Deusis faith.”

“What!?”

“We don’t want any discord either. We hope you’ll come with us and clear up this misunderstanding.”

Choi Hyun-seok sighed and rubbed his face wearily.

“Sigh… I haven’t even spoken to a woman since coming here, and now harassment…?”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. Fine, let’s go.”

He didn’t need to check to know what was happening.

Someone had clearly spread strange rumors to drive him out.

Following the royal knights, they arrived at a place where King Mollin and several women were waiting.

All of the women were people Choi Hyun-seok had never seen before.

“Speak truthfully. Is what you’ve said really true!”

King Mollin shouted.

Though the maids and priestess looked terrified, they didn’t back down.

“Yes… He asked if I wanted to meet him… When I said I had a husband, he said that didn’t matter and forcefully embraced me…”

One maid spoke while trembling.

Naturally, Choi Hyun-seok was dumbfounded.

‘I’m seeing you for the first time!’

And saying a husband doesn’t matter?

Though he liked women, he wasn’t such a depraved trash.

“I was cleaning the corridor. He suddenly appeared and touched my bottom while saying it was plump… Sob…”

“I was cleaning his room when he suddenly undressed… And told me to sit on the bed with lewd eyes…”

Every story was more absurd than the last.

According to their words, he was nothing but a deranged pervert.

After five maids confessed to being harassed by Choi Hyun-seok.

Finally, a middle-aged woman in priestess robes stepped forward.

“I am Toris, First Priestess of the Deusis faith.”

“Please speak.”

Though he didn’t know what a First Priestess was, judging from the king’s attitude and her holy aura, she seemed to be a high-ranking priestess.

“That man asked if I wanted to sleep with god.”

“Priestess, sleep with god? What do you mean?”

“I didn’t understand either, so when I asked what he meant…”

Priestess Toris spoke with contemptuous eyes.

“He pointed to his private parts saying it was no different from god himself. I still vividly remember the moment he told me to receive god’s blessing with such an arrogant expression!”

“Hey, that’s going too far! And you’re not even my type!”

Even Choi Hyun-seok, who had been patient until now, couldn’t hold back anymore.

His head was about to explode hearing such words from a woman who looked twice his age.

“He also said he gets pleasure from violating women who aren’t his type, especially older women!”

“This woman, really!”

As Choi Hyun-seok tried to rush forward, King Mollin stepped in first.

“That’s enough. We’ve heard enough. Send the maids back and escort the priestess out.”

“Yes.”

After the maids and priestess left.

King Mollin let out a sigh.

“All of you, please leave as well. I wish to speak with Lord Polkil alone.”

“We cannot, Your Majesty! To leave you alone with such a person…”

“Now!”

The royal knights had no choice but to follow the king’s firm command.

Finally, alone with Choi Hyun-seok, the king sighed and rubbed his face.

“Sigh… I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I know well that Lord Polkil isn’t someone who would commit such depraved acts.”

King Mollin sank weakly into a chair.

“It seems someone who disapproves of Lord Polkil’s presence in the palace has caused this.”

Both the king and Choi Hyun-seok knew who that someone was.

First son Kian Del Chersi.

It was clearly him.

But neither Choi Hyun-seok nor the king directly mentioned his name.

“Rumors are already rampant in the palace, with witnesses claiming to have seen your misconduct and testimonies of victims pouring in.”

“Phew…”

“Especially the high priestess of the Deusis faith’s statement is something that even I as king cannot ignore… I’m truly sorry.”

He didn’t need to hear the rest.

It was a request to leave the palace.

“I understand. It can’t be helped.”

Though Choi Hyun-seok was furious, he couldn’t overturn the palace just because he was angry.

“Thank you for everything until now. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

“Wait, just a moment… Lord Polkil…!”

Ignoring the king’s desperate voice from behind.

Choi Hyun-seok immediately left the palace.

Sharp glares from people pierced him wherever he went.

“Damn… Of all the trashy things to experience in life.”

Finally reaching the palace entrance.

In front of the guards, Choi Hyun-seok gathered phlegm and spat.

“Kya-ak- ptui!”

“Y-you! What are you doing!?”

Though the frightened guard thrust his spear, Choi Hyun-seok remained defiant.

“What? What are you going to do about it?”

“…”

Either way, Choi Hyun-seok was a legendary hero.

A mere palace guard is not someone who could hold him accountable for spitting.

Still seeming unsatisfied, Choi Hyun-seok walked away breathing heavily.

“Disgusting! Let’s never meet again! Just try to see me set foot in this trashy palace again!”

The guards could only silently watch Choi Hyun-seok’s retreating back.

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