The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 418: Dragon Lair (1)

Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin spent the entire day reading reports together and sharing thoughts on them.

“Money really is amazing. All this sweet information just rolled right in.”

“That’s good to hear. So we’ve got a decent lead now, right?” Yoo Ha-Rin asked as she took off her glasses.

Kai nodded. “Yes. Now that we’ve gathered enough colors, I think it’s time to paint the picture.”

Filling a blank canvas with colors to his liking. For that, he needed paints.

Fortunately, I’ve gathered all the usable information.

Now it was time to start drawing the picture bit by bit. However, there was something else he needed to do before that.

“Come to think of it, you’ve already been to the royal capital, right? For the merit evaluation.”

“Yes. I went as soon as I was summoned the first time.”

Kai had been putting off meeting King Beoruk until now. “Ugh. I guess I should go now too.”

“Good work these past two days.”

“You worked even harder than I did. Thank you so much.”

After smiling at Yoo Ha-Rin, Kai headed straight for the palace.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Repairs were in full swing at the palace. No, rather than simple repairs...

“We plan to place a row of pillars shaped like greatswords over there.”

“We should build ten training grounds... no, maybe around fourteen.”

“An artificial lake would be nice too, for the view. Somewhere to rest after swinging swords.”

They had torn everything down to the foundation and were fully remodeling the place. The dwarves funded by Kai were handling the construction, while Bach handed them one request after another with shining eyes.

“You look like you’re absolutely loving this.”

“Hm? Y-you’re here.” Bach, caught in an embarrassing moment, cleared his throat.

“But this training ground... it wasn’t this big before, was it?” Kai squinted and looked around.

Just from the layout alone, it looked less like a training ground and more like a high-rise apartment being built.

“I got permission from His Majesty. He said we could clear part of the underused forest and expand the training grounds there.”

“I’m the one paying for all this construction, you know?”

“A-ahem,” Bach slowly turned his head and stared off at a mountain far away.

Kai let out a small laugh and shrugged. “Well, I don’t really mind anyway.”

In fact, the construction only cost around a billion. Considering all Bach had done for him so far, it felt like paying off overdue tuition.

“Anyway, since you’re building it, make it as grand as possible. We’ll need to increase the number of knights too.”

Bach intently stared at Kai for a moment.

With an apologetic expression, he finally said, “I’ve misunderstood you until now. You’re someone with such a noble character... no, a saint perhaps...”

How on earth did he think of him until now?

When Kai looked at him with a slightly preposterous expression, Bach turned his head again and muttered, “I thought you were just a moderately selfish adventurer...”

“I can hear you, you know?”

“You really do have good hearing, that’s another one of your strengths.”

In the end, Bach was also someone supported by the state. He had wanted to expand the training ground but never managed it due to budget issues, and Kai had solved that for him. Naturally, from his point of view, Kai looked like an angel.

“When the training ground is finished, come teach a session or two.”

“Me? Come on, how could someone like me give a lesson...”

When Kai waved his hands, Bach stared at him.

“What’s wrong with someone like you?”

“Pardon?”

“What I said before wasn’t just flattery.” Bach’s gaze pierced through Kai. “You are the greatest swordsman in Rashion. Stand tall and wear that pride in your heart. You are the best in this nation.”

Kai unconsciously straightened his back and shoulders at Bach’s firm and stern voice.

“I’ve already told Paval and the other knights that you’ve far surpassed me.”

“What, why go through all that trouble...”

“It’s funny.” A proud smile spread across Bach’s face as he looked up at the sky. “Just a few years ago, you were an adventurer who couldn’t even handle a few knights without my help.”

He was likely talking about the time at Whitehall.

“I feel it every time I see one of you—adventurers really are amazing. Your growth speed is incredible, but more than that... I can feel the limitless potential in you folks.”

Bach gently tapped Kai’s chest with his fist.

“You’ve become the greatest swordsman in Rashion, but don’t stop here. I may not be able to see how much higher you can climb through that sword, but I want to witness it through you.”

“Well, I am technically a cleric, but I’ll try and continue to grow.”

Limitless potential. Could it really be true? Did adventurers, did players, truly have infinite potential just as Bach said?

Well, I’ll find out when I get there I guess.

Wherever the end of that path might lead.

***

“I present myself before His Majesty, King Beoruk,” Kai knelt on one knee and offered a respectful greeting.

Beoruk responded with a broad smile and stepped down from the throne. “Rise now. I’m not shameless enough to keep a hero who saved the kingdom on his knees.”

“Oh, you speak too highly of me.”

Beoruk approached Kai and lightly patted his shoulder a few times. There wasn’t much force behind it, but the weight of his gratitude was felt in his palm.

“Thank you, truly.”

“I only did what was necessary.”

To protect his own people and drive out the invaders. That was something any lord was obligated to do. Of course, some still ran away instead of doing even that.

“I seriously pondered what reward to give you for this war.”

As expected of Beoruk. True to his bold nature, he went straight to the point.

“The royal treasury has already been opened to you several times. You’ve likely taken everything of worth by now.”

Kai nodded. “I am grateful for that.”

“I thought of granting you another territory, but you already manage dozens. I was concerned that any more might become a burden instead.”

“I deeply appreciate Your Majesty’s consideration.”

Just as he said, Kai no longer knew how many territories he had. He hadn’t even memorized the names of the eastern ones that were dumped on him. Any more would be a burden rather than a reward.

“So I’ve spent the past few days tossing and turning at night. I’ve thought a lot.” Apparently, that seemed true as there were dark circles under his eyes. “After gathering the ministers and putting our heads together, we finally reached a satisfying conclusion.”

“I’m listening closely.”

In any case, he was about to receive something. There was no loss, only gain.

As Kai bowed his head, an attendant brought Beoruk a golden scroll.

Beoruk unrolled the scroll in one motion and declared, “From this moment forward, Count Kai is raised to the rank of Archduke.”

Kai lifted his head in shock at those words. “Your Majesty...?”

Archduke was the title for a Grand Duke, but Kai was currently a Count. A Grand Duke ranked above even a Duke, the highest of the five noble ranks. In short, it meant Beoruk was promoting Kai by more than two levels in one bold move.

And as far as I know...

An Archduke was not a mere honorary title like Count or Duke.

As if confirming that thought, Beoruk continued, “From this moment, the eastern region of Rashion shall be treated as a Grand duchy, declared independent from the Kingdom of Rashion. Accordingly, Count Kai will henceforth be addressed as Archduke, or Sovereign Duke.”

An independent, separate nation. The moment he heard those words, Kai quietly closed his eyes.

It should come any second now.

Sure enough, a refreshing sound like a soda can opening rang in his ears.

Ding!

[Unbelievable achievement! You are the first player to become the sovereign of a nation.]

[Special title acquired: Sovereign Duke.]

[Road to Glory! From the Kingdom of Rashion, your legend of advancement will spread far and wide.]

[+523,000 Fame.]

Special title, Sovereign Duke.

It wasn’t quite King, but it probably didn’t differ much in terms of effects.

This is the best gift I could’ve received.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected this much. He thought it would just end with some money or weapons.

King Beoruk really knows how to take care of people.

A ruler who looked after his people was always considered wise. He made those beneath him trust and follow him. When working under someone like that, one naturally took pride in their role.

The Kingdom of Rashion will only grow stronger.

Perhaps it could become an empire one day. No, as long as he was registered under the Kingdom of Rashion, it would become an empire someday at the very least.

“I have no words to express my gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Heh.”

One side of Beoruk’s mouth lifted as if pleased to see Kai genuinely happy. He was clearly proud of the reward he had given.

“Count Kai—no, Archduke Kai.”

“I await your command.”

“That has a nice ring to it. It rolls off the tongue. Archduke Kai, Archduke Kai... I should’ve promoted you sooner.”

“To be honest, I’m still a bit overwhelmed. I’m also worried. Once this is made public, there will be backlash.”

“Hmph, it works out perfectly then since the sword drawn for war hasn’t returned to its sheath yet.”

He wasn’t called an iron-blooded king for nothing. Any noble who cared for the survival of their family would never oppose Beoruk.

“You may still be my vassal, but from now on, there’s no need to kneel every time. You now lead a nation of your own. When you kneel, it means all the people who trust and follow you are kneeling too. Never forget that.”

“I understand...”

There was a saying that a position determined how a person was. Kai now felt the need to act in a way that matched the position he had taken.

“Always be confident. Understood?”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kai pressed his lips together and nodded.

Always confident, clear, and assured.

“Now, if you haven’t eaten, join me.”

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”

The two of them moved to the palace garden and chatted while eating dishes prepared on the spot by the chef.

“Now that the war is over, I suppose you’ll disappear for a while again.”

“I’d love to lock myself up at home too, but unfortunately, I don’t think that’ll be possible.”

“Hm?” Beoruk slightly raised his eyebrows. “Is something going on?”

“Yes. I’m not sure if it counts as work, but there is someone I’d like to meet.”

“Oh? Now I’m curious as well. At your status, you should be able to meet most people right away.”

“Well, if it was a person, then yes, I probably could.”

“So you mean the one you want to meet isn’t human?”

Kai nodded at Beoruk’s quick understanding. “It’s a dragon. Specifically, the lord of the dragon race and the oldest of them all, the Elder Dragon.”

“Hmm, the Elder Dragon...” Beoruk set down his utensils and fell into thought. “May I ask why? If you intend to fight the Elder Dragon...”

“Oh, there is no need to worry about that. I don’t want to fight them if I can avoid it.”

Of course, whether they would forgive someone who smelled like a dragon hunter was a different question.

“I just... want to learn something from them.”

“Well, dragons are beings who live for countless years. Each one could easily be called a vault of knowledge and it still wouldn’t be enough.” As Beoruk finished speaking, he suddenly smiled. “Looks like today’s gift isn’t just one thing after all.”

“Pardon?”

“Did you know that only other dragons know the whereabouts of a dragon lord?”

“Yes. That’s why I planned to use the Information Guild to track them down...”

Of course, even the Information Guild might not know where they were. If it were a dragon like the mad Death Dragon, Sineras, who acted openly, it would be easier to track. However, most dragons lived as if they didn’t exist. They lived so quietly it was like they were dead.

“There’s no need for that.” Beoruk said firmly. “Dragons cause disasters every time they move. From a ruler’s perspective, they are a constant threat that must always be monitored.”

“In that case, you mean...?”

Beoruk nodded. “I will share with you the locations of the dragons I know.”