Chapter 227

Chapter 227

“Hmm, Nara-ssi? I think calling Fernand a dog is a bit.”

(Ed: Pioneer king and dog both start with 개 In korean and because Nara was stuttering last chapter it sounded like she was saying the word dog.)

“Ah, t-that- sorry, are you really the Pioneering King, Fernand?”

With Leeha teasing her, Shin Nara felt even more flustered. Seeing her speak hastily, Leeha burst out laughing.

“My name is Fernand Magalias. Are you Madame Shin Nara-nim?”

“Phew, Yes, I am. How many female knights are there, other than me? Well, just call me Shin Nara. And calling me madame makes me sound old.”

Shin Nara smiled and waved her hand. Fernand smiled softly and nodded.

“Leeha-nim, Fernand-nim, this way-”

“Ah, yes. Then, Nara-ssi, see you next time!”

“Yes. Good luck! You know that when you get an audience, you need to kneel on one knee in front of his majesty, right? Because if you do something wrong, your intimacy could be lost-”

“Don’t worry, I already know that.”

Shin Nara looked at Leeha with a worried expression and Leeha smiled and waved her off.

When he needs to be reliable, he’s one of the most reliable people in Middle Earth, but when he doesn’t, he’s like a baby on the beach.

‘That’s Leeha-ssi’s charm but....... Ah, look where my mind has gone..’

-After you and Fernand leave the castle, please send me a whisper. I have something to tell you.

-What do you mean? Oh, okay, I will!

Leeha answered Shin Nara’s whisper and looked at her again. Shin Nara made eye contact with Leeha, nodded her head, and entered the conference room.

Seeing Shin Nara and Leeha, Fernand became extremely curious.

‘Interesting....... That’s definitely interesting.’

He said that it was thanks to Lee Jiwon that he found his location. And he is also close with Shin Nara? Judging by his weapon and job, he must also know Luger.

‘Why hasn’t his name spread yet?’

The fight with the Rising Sun was only a small incident for an outsider like Fernand. The guild battle between Byeolcho and Hwahong was big, but it was only within Fibiel. It was only natural that Fernand, who was an expert from another country, to not be aware of Leeha.

“Your Majesty, Pioneering Expert Fernand Magalias and Musketeer Ha Leeha are asking for an audience.”

Come in.

In front of the king, Fernand’s ‘king’ title could not be used, and under the guidance of the guard and servants, Leeha and Fernand finally arrived at the palace

Even after completing the quest to protect the king, the was the first time for Leeha to see the king up close. As Kijeong once said, the noble dignity of the king was flowing.

‘It is also strange that such a king never questioned Lotzac’s words.’

Leeha and Fernand bowed to the king. Except for the commander of the guard, no other NPCs were seen.

“Fernand Magalias.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for granting this one’s request.”

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty. Rather, I too wish for this.”

Fernand’s voice was somewhat firm. Fernand instinctively realized that pioneering a new continent had to wait for a long time before it could be completed with the power of the users.

So Fernand’s plan was to quickly break through with the power of the NPCs. It was the king who stopped it. Of course, it was unavoidable.

“However, it has become impossible to assemble a fleet right now.” (ed: why the heck did the king bring him here)

“Yes?”

“Huh?”

Fernand and Leeha tilted their heads. When the king coughed, the captain of the royal guards straightened his back and raised his voice.

“Right now, the country is preparing for war. We need to do everything we can to erase the sly Minis from this continent. More than anything else, Minis has joined forces with another country and is targeting our country from the sea.”

“......Are you talking about Kraven?”

“Yes. Pioneering a new continent is an achievement that would be enough to show the prowess of this country, however, when we are on the brink of war, we have to be careful about the placements of our troops.”

It was what the captain of the royal guards said, but the content was simple. They were in a situation where Fibiel was surrounded by Minis by land, and Kraven by sea. Fibiel’s power is not enough to wage war against both countries at the same time.

In other words, they don’t want to use any of their power at sea. They will only have enough force to keep Kraven in check while the remaining resources will be put on land. And it meant that they could not advance to the new continent after defeating Kraven’s navy with that small amount of force.

Another way is to ignore the war and wander around hunting grounds from a different territory. However, there will not be many users who will ignore the falling rice cakes in a large event called war. In other words, through this national war, a lot of users will be fighting against each other. Is this what phase 2 was aiming for all along?

‘Then, what does attack is the best defense mean? Does it mean to unconditionally attack in a national war? The successor to the hero and what they did....... It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with each other.’

If phase 1 was for the growth of the users, would phase 2 be a full-fledged confrontation? Leeha wasn’t sure.

“Anyway, one month is not a lot of time.”

“Yes. Please prepare as well Leeha-ssi. Don’t forget to log in before the war starts.”

“Hmm. Sure. Thank you, Nara-ssi. Ah! Did you call me to tell me about this?”

“T-t-that, yes. T-t-that’s right. That’s right!”

“What?”

Shin Nara’s lips trembled. She didn’t know how to speak.

“L-last time, the meal.... I asked you about.”

“Ah, yes.”

It was the last conversation between Leeha and Shin Nara. In order to hide his disability, Leeha refused, and Shin Nara walked away. She suddenly brought it up again. Shin Nara was certainly more of a female lead than Leeha thought. (ed: do you mean she’s assertive?)

“If... it’s too much of a burden with... just the two of us... do you want to go with your cousin? If I come with Bobae......”

“Y-you will go with Bobae-ssi? Kijeong- no, Master Kay? Two on two?”

It would be nice if Kijeong was by his side! Unconditionally! That would be his answer, right?

However, Leeha could not answer easily. Saying no would be too disrespectful to Shin Nara.

‘It’s impolite to decline a woman’s offer twice.

But I don’t feel well going out. Leeha nodded first.

“Yes, I will ask Kay.”

“Really? Really?”

“But when-”

“It would be good after the war is over! Even before the war – no, not before. After the war! Please! Please! ”

Shin Nara moved closer to Leeha with her eyes twinkling. Their height difference was about half a head. It was a size that was too big to hug. Leeha backed away and barely nodded his head. (ed: is she the taller one? Also you are never too big to hug)

“Yes, yes I know. A-anyway, see you next time, Nara-ssi!”

“Yes! I’ll tell Bobae! You must ask Master Kay! Please!”

How many times did she need to say ‘please’? Leeha quickly left the palace.

‘After the war......’

It takes a month in Middle Earth just to prepare for war. How long will it take to end? It will take quite a bit of time. Then there was only one goal.

‘I need to collect them until then.’

Leeha had a determined expression. He left the palace and went toward Brown Bess academy. It was time to clear the quest with the information he obtained from the dark elf.

‘Character Window.’

Of course, before that he checked his stats first.

Name: Ha Leeha/ Race: Human

Job: Musketeer / Level: 160 (0%)

Title: Fearless / Achievements: 55

HP: 4,400(3,080) / MP: 1,150

Strength: 248(+166)

Agility: 1,637(+518)

Intelligence: 129(+78)

Constitution: 145(+52)

Mind: 40(+30)

Remaining Stat Points: 42

‘I’m finally Level 160. My leveling is definitely slowing down.’