67 – The King (2)
Shasha Kalan, the king of the Kalan Kingdom and undeniably the first person of the kingdom, looked at Kim Hyunwoo in front of him and thought.
‘His appearance is surprisingly ordinary.’
Of course, one couldn’t judge a person by appearance alone.
If the ability of the Lord of Lartania wasn’t anything special like his appearance, then the desolate Lartania territory wouldn’t have been revived like this.
Above all, even if Kim Hyunwoo was nothing more than an ordinary person, Shasha couldn’t treat him lightly.
No, that’s not quite right.
Shasha knew it.
She knew that this Lord of Lartania, the true power behind the Kalan Kingdom, was a cherished being to the absolute ruler of darkness, who could be described as having raised the Kalan Kingdom by making a contract with her.
Of course, the absolute ruler of darkness never said such things to Shasha.
From the time when the Kalan Kingdom was practically at the level of a public country, and even when her parents were assassinated at a young age and she ascended to the throne, the absolute ruler of darkness only had a business relationship with her.
In other words, Shasha, including the five swords of Kalan, never heard anything substantial about the Lord of Lartania.
However, the reason Shasha knows to some extent about this fact is because she knows that the absolute being of darkness is affiliated with the Land of Rartania.
In addition, Shasha, who entered politics at a very young age and has defended the king’s power excellently by facing old snakes and foxes with their heads shaved off, had already guessed how the situation would unfold when she heard the news that the Lord of Rartania had returned.
No, in addition to that, she already had three conclusions drawn when she knew that the absolute being of darkness had gone to the Land of Rartania and returned powerless.
1. The absolute being of darkness still has affection for the Lord of Rartania.
2. The absolute being of darkness tried to return to the Land of Rartania but failed.
3. The reason the absolute being of darkness failed to return to the Land of Rartania is precisely because of his infamous reputation.
Of course, these were just speculations, but she thought her speculations were quite accurate.
Even if the notoriety of the absolute being of darkness has already grown considerably, it was not enough to single-handedly block the Land of Rartania.
Moreover, she had vaguely confirmed what the absolute being of darkness was doing behind the scenes, and because she was confident that her speculations, if not perfect, were quite certain, she couldn’t treat Kim Hyun-woo lightly.
No, beyond not treating him lightly, she had concluded that she needed to build a certain degree of affection.
The reason she, as a queen, personally visited the Land of Rartania was also because of this.
“You’re truly remarkable. You are indeed the one who created that Rartania ten years ago.”
“If it’s praise, I will gratefully accept it.”
Moreover, as she moved forward from there, she was also considering building affection for the absolute being of darkness, with whom she had maintained only a business relationship so far.
‘I’ve roughly grasped the situation…’
Of course, she had no intention of openly bringing up the topic of the absolute being of darkness.
In the first place, she didn’t know what was going on between the absolute being of darkness and Kim Hyun-woo, and although she speculated, she still wasn’t sure about the exact reason why the Lord had rejected her.
The only thing she was definitely aware of here was that it would be better not to bring up the topic of the absolute being of darkness as much as possible.
‘If I inadvertently say something wrong and step on a landmine… it won’t be easy.’
Naturally, she had grown with the help of the absolute being of darkness, and she also possessed abilities and strength befitting the king of the Kalan Kingdom.
However, it was something she desperately wanted to avoid as much as the relationship with the absolute ruler of darkness turning negative.
…No, it was something she absolutely had to decline.
No matter what anyone said, she was one of the key figures who had built the current Kingdom of Kalan, and she knew that if she were to turn against them, it would be more terrifying than anything else.
So, naturally, as she was conversing with the Lord of Lartania,
“Come to think of it, is there anything you like, my lord?”
“Like?”
“Well, I’ve heard that there were some uncomfortable situations with the territories of our kingdom, so I thought I might repay the favor.”
Through these conversations, she began to gather information that the absolute ruler of darkness might like.
####
“…Phew.”
About an hour later.
Kim Hyun-woo, who recalled King Shasha of the vanished Kingdom of Kalan, poured out his thoughts like a storm and then made a slightly dizzy expression.
‘What was that all about…’
Of course, the abrupt diplomatic meeting with the king ended without any major issues.
No, it actually ended quite well on the surface.
Before Kim Hyun-woo could properly steer the conversation, it seemed that Shasha had taken a liking to him.
Of course, Kim Hyun-woo couldn’t help but wonder why the king of the Kingdom of Kalan had taken a liking to him, so he checked the relationship chart of the kingdom just to be sure, and indeed, the relationship had improved.
In other words, it seemed like the woman who had visited his territory had nothing to hide, so Kim Hyun-woo made a strange expression for a while and then shrugged his shoulders.
Actually, it wasn’t a bad thing that Shasha, as a king, had personally traveled to the Lartania territory, although Kim Hyun-woo wasn’t sure why. After all, he needed to walk a tightrope between the Norba Kingdom, the Kingdom of Kalan, and the Eastern Union Clan in order to develop the Lartania territory.
Not bad, with the thought that it’s not so bad, the contemplation came to an end momentarily.
—-
In the realm of ★★★, the hero ‘Witch of Gold Coins’ has entered.
—-
[At the top of the realm, ‘Tiiunus’ has arrived!]
Kim Hyunwoo woke up again at the notification window that appeared before his eyes.
####
A little later, in the office.
“Hello, Top Lord.”
“Yes, yes, Uh- Hel- Hello, Hello-“
“…? Are you okay?”
Kim Hyunwoo, who usually greeted Adria, asked her with a puzzled expression.
According to Kim Hyunwoo, Adria didn’t seem to be in good shape.
The hand she extended to grab his hand was trembling, and her gaze seemed to wave in the air as if unsure where to place it.
In addition, looking at her, who was slightly trembling even in her body, he asked with a bewildered expression.
“Yes, I- I’m perfectly fine, Lo-“
“Lo…?”
With the following response, Kim Hyunwoo filled his face with doubt, followed the end of the word, and continued.
“Oh, oh- it’s, it’s okay.”
Adria, who had suddenly trembled and gestured anxiously as if symptoms of unease had come upon her, returned with an awkward laugh in a matter of seconds.
“…?”
Kim Hyun-woo, with a bewildered expression clearly puzzled by the strange sight.
“Well, the thing is, the makeup artifact I usually carry around seems to have malfunctioned.”
“Makeup artifact?”
“Yes. Since I often meet people here and there, there are many times when I shouldn’t show emotions on my face… well, there are also times when I need to act differently.”
“…There are indeed many fascinating artifacts.”
“Right? I was quite surprised the first time I used it too. Shall we sit and talk?”
With a somewhat awkward chuckle, Adriana showed the ring snugly nestled in the joint while quickly turning the conversation, as if trying to salvage something.
Seated soon after, Kim Hyun-woo and Adriana engaged in casual conversation.
“It’s truly unprecedented to see a territory grow so rapidly.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Since I manage the upper regions, I often visit various territories. However, to develop a territory to this extent in just a few months with items provided by the lord, each more extraordinary than the last, and even gaining gold coins through them, it’s not an easy task.”
“I feel awkward receiving praise like this.”
After Adriana’s compliment, with a sheepish laugh, as they exchanged a few more words shortly after.
“Ahem, by the way, my lord, may I ask you something?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Yes. Feel free to ask.”
With a composed throat clearing, Kim Hyun-woo nodded in response to Adriana’s question.
“Well, my lord, is there something you particularly like?”
“Like?”
Even as Kim Hyun-woo answered, he couldn’t help but feel a déjà vu-like sensation at the question.
“I think I heard a similar story from the King of Kallan Kingdom earlier… Why are you asking?”
The question that arose in his mind.
But Kim Hyun-woo told her the story without revealing that part, and they naturally continued their conversation.
“Come to think of it, I used to be like that too.”
Naturally, as they talked about the past.
“Oh, come to think of it, there was something else I wanted to ask. What do you think of the heroes of Lartania from ten years ago?”
In response to Adriana’s question, Kim Hyun-woo replied.
“…The heroes from ten years ago?”
“Yes.”
“Even so, wouldn’t you want to see their faces now that they’ve returned?”
Kim Hyun-woo, pondering Adriana’s question, wondered what her intention was in asking such a question.
“…Well, if the opportunity arises, I suppose I’d like to see them once.”
He soon shrugged his shoulders and answered.
And then.
“Huh-!”
“?”
Kim Hyun-woo, taken aback by Adriana suddenly grabbing his head, once again wore a bewildered expression.
Even with that expression, she couldn’t maintain her state of doubt for long.
For good reason.
[The master wants to see me, the master wants to see me. Should I go see the master right now? Should I go see the master right now? No, then I’ll die. No, but if the master wants to see me, shouldn’t I go right now? Huh, aah, I miss you, I miss you───────]
Adria couldn’t pull herself together due to the numerous thoughts flooding her mind at that moment.
####
One hour later.
King Shasha of the Kalan Kingdom was still in the territory of Lartania.
“Hmm-“
Of course, there was a reason she didn’t return to the kingdom right away, and it was simply to explore the territory.
“Hmm, it’s been a while.”
[What’s the matter??]
There was also a slight intention to reveal her presence to the Lord of Darkness.
“Well, I just stopped by Lartania.”
[I heard, but why did you go there?]
The Lord of Darkness frowned slightly from across the crystal screen.
But Shasha continued without any sign of hesitation in response to her words.
“It’s a matter of the territory’s diplomacy. I also came because I was curious about the infinite creation of mana stones there. And I thought of providing good information to my partner as well.”
[Good information…?]
“Yes, information about the lord. I thought it might be needed.”
Shasha spoke leisurely with a smile.
The Lord of Darkness, who was gazing at her, made a mocking expression and spoke-
[I don’t need that kind of thing. After all, in the end, I will return only after I have completed all my duties… right?]
-then fell silent.
“?”
Shasha suddenly stopped speaking and looked at the absolute ruler of darkness, only to realize that her gaze was directed elsewhere.
And as Shasha turned her head.
“Hmm?… Tienus’s upper priest? It’s rare to see someone here whom you can hardly meet once a year, especially considering the frequent exchanges with Lartania recently.”
Soon, Shasha realized that the absolute ruler of darkness was looking at Tienus’s upper priest, and was about to speak.
[…Upper priest?]
“Yes. Tienus, you know, right? There are a few things that have come out from the upper level of Tienus among the things you were looking for.”
[No, it can’t be.]
“…Yes?”
At the following words, Adria showed a puzzled expression.
[Is he secretly lurking behind me, secretly watching and wagging his tail…?]
“…!?”
At the chilling voice that soon followed, Shasha couldn’t help but look surprised, without even realizing it.
The yanderes have matchmakers. Fabulous
20/10
LMAO