Persuasion and Negotiation (10)

As the leader of the knights, Max also knew the demon world well.

Still, is there a reason why you want to head to the demon world with me?

“If not me, who will go? As a knight commander, I must take the lead.”

“Are you okay? I wouldn’t be able to bring all the knights.”

“Don’t worry too much. Because I have people I can trust.”

Max’s Knights are one of the most important knights in the kingdom.

Of course, there were a lot of talented people gathered.

Among them, there were several who could withstand the fog of the Demon World.

‘Then Max’s lieutenant will also appear.’

In the first episode, Erina had joined Max’s Knights, so she knew a few people.

In particular, Max’s lieutenant was the most eye-catching supporting role.

“If you go to the demon world, where do you plan to conquer it first?”

“We have to clear a path to the Demon King’s Castle.”

“Uhm… There’s no need to be in too much of a hurry. Wouldn’t it be better to gradually infiltrate and conquer the demon world?”

“Well. I think it will end if I kill the Demon King. There is no need to go back far.”

“I think it’s too reckless. There is no need to rush.”

My plan is to arrive at the Demon World and open a path to the Demon King’s Castle.

The plan was to find the cave where Makiela was hiding and subdue her.

Next, conquer the Andrei Snow Mountain where Yeriel is located.

After that, I infiltrated the Demon King’s Castle and subdued the Demon King.

I plan to head to the top of Andrei Snow Mountain and head to heaven.

So how will Erina take it?

What will you do if your lie is discovered?

When I looked at Erina next to me, she was looking at me as usual.

There was no sign of anxiety or agitation.

‘I’m sure he has an idea.’

Even so, you probably don’t know that I realized the lie.

“Anyway, I heard that we are going on a campaign to the Demon World in three weeks, so I will prepare by then.”

“Eric. “What are you planning to do?”

Eric shrugged his shoulders and answered my question.

“I’m done. “I have to protect the village.”

“I thought you were going to say you were going together.”

“Well. “I don’t want to die early.”

In fact, it was a reckless operation no matter who thought it was.

Until now, there has never been a chance to conquer the demon world.

Therefore, I could fully understand why Max was holding back.

“Anyway, I can rest comfortably for three weeks.”

“Okay. I plan to stay in the capital for a while. Same goes for Eric.”

If so, can we meet often in the capital?

Thanks to this, I felt like the boring time would be reduced a little.

“Is it okay for the knight commander to be away for three weeks?”

“Well, how about it? Even the king gave permission.”

Then Max crossed his arms with a meaningful smile.

Because I was a little suspicious that the king’s name was suddenly brought up.

I nodded slowly and looked at his expression, and Max nodded in the same way.

Was he also on the king’s side?

In the first episode, we appeared to have a friendly relationship, but I didn’t know they were this close.

No one knows why he joined the king’s side.

“Okay. “It’s something to be thankful for.”

Anyway, it was a good thing that I had a trustworthy colleague with me.

***

“Good! Let’s go have a drink!”

Catalina burst out laughing and left the palace.

Today is the investiture ceremony of the knight she had long for.

Although Catalina did not receive proper credit when she defeated Catherine.

After defeating the Spirit King, she was also able to become a knight.

Even though her knighthood was lower than mine, her smile never left as if she was satisfied.

“Does it feel that good?”

“Then of course! “My achievements have been recognized!”

“Congratulations. Sister.”

Malcolm handed the flowers he had prepared to Catalina and she accepted them with a smile.

I usually don’t like flowers or have any interest in them.

I slowly looked at Malcolm’s gift to see if I liked it at least for now.

“I never thought I would receive flowers as a gift in my lifetime.”

“Well, wouldn’t it look nice if I left it in my dorm?”

There was no way he was always pushing Malcolm or being irritated like this.

It seems that Catalina liked the gift that much.

“Congratulations. “I became a knight just as I hoped.”

Even when he defeated Catherine, he was complaining about why he wasn’t given a knighthood.

Since he played a major role in subduing the Spirit King, it was natural for him to receive a title.

“Wait a little longer. “After the next expedition, I will be in a higher position.”

“Okay. “I don’t really care.”

While Catalina was happy and burning her fighting spirit.

Julia clapped her hands and drew attention.

“Ruler. Let’s all go. “You can’t make a fuss in the palace.”

Julia is looking around with a slightly stiff expression.

Even though she was trying to pretend she was okay, I could tell she was nervous.

And her concerns became reality.

As we were about to leave the palace, someone came to us.

“Do you have a moment?”

“…Is there anything left to do?”

“Yes. “I have a gift for Seohyun, Julia, and Catalina.”

Even if it is packaged nicely as a gift, the person who understands it will still understand.

King’s invitation. I wanted her to meet us face to face.

Also, it was the situation that Julia wanted to avoid the most.

Meanwhile, Catalina’s eyes became bright as if she didn’t understand.

“Gift? If you are a knight, do you give special gifts?”

“Catalina. “Don’t expect too much.”

“No way. Still, you can’t accept a gift that’s offered to you, right?”

Catalina obediently follows the man while whistling.

Julia and I couldn’t help but follow that sight.

While leaving my colleagues behind and entering the palace.

My mind was spinning quickly.

Surprisingly, there were three people called by the king.

Me, Julia, and Catalina. He could be said to be a core member of the Adventurer’s League.

“Haa…”

“Take care of your facial expression. They say they even give gifts.”

Julia sighed heavily and her face distorted.

Catalina, on the other hand, just smiled and quickened her steps.

But what can you do? The king called me, so I couldn’t go.

While heading to the basement of the palace, I headed into a hidden space located in the middle of the stairs.

“What…? “Why is the gift in a place like this?”

“You still don’t know? “This is not a gift.”

Then Catalina looked at the man with a puzzled expression.

Still unable to grasp the situation, she continues to walk.

When I saw the king sitting in a dark space, my smile disappeared.

“Thank you all for coming.”

“No. King.”

“Okay. Seohyun. “Did you rest well for a week?”

“Thanks to you, I had a good rest.”

When I had a normal conversation with the king, the expressions on both people’s faces were worth seeing.

In particular, Catalina’s face crumbled in an instant when she realized the seriousness belatedly.

“…I never thought of a gift like this.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you. There were many enemies in the palace, so there was nothing we could do.”

“…King. “It’s been a while.”

“Okay. Julia. “Your letter was well received.”

Julia puts her hands together neatly with a very serious expression.

No matter how proud she was, she couldn’t help it in front of the king.

On the other hand, there were also people who did not change much from usual.

“Why did you call us to this place?”

Since he is the king, he uses polite language but has a somewhat rough attitude.

Although she was polite in her own way, it felt rude to others.

Nevertheless, the king smiled and understood Catalina’s attitude.

“You are the hope of the kingdom. “I wanted to express my gratitude as the king.”

“I won’t just say thank you.”

“Yes. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

After all, they didn’t call us for no reason.

Fortunately, the king’s request was not that special.

“I promise to continue supporting the Adventurer’s League in the future. But that doesn’t mean we will blindly provide support.”

No matter how king you are, there are limits. Especially considering the king’s position, it was difficult to expect much help.

That’s why Yulia doesn’t seem very pleased.

“I heard that we are heading to the Demon World in three weeks.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I would like to stop you, but your will is strong, so I guess I can’t help it. However.”

The King took a moment to catch his breath and slowly continued speaking.

“After defeating the Demon King, please join the knights under my direct command.”

Yulia’s smile hardened at her request.

Catalina crossed her legs with a subtle expression.

I started thinking about how to answer.