The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 117: Poetic Justice (3)

Kai blinked with a dazed expression. His mind couldn't comprehend the current situation.

What did that man just say?

The king wanted to see him, so he should prepare to visit the royal palace. That was certainly what the man had said.

The king... The king... The king of Rashion?

Only after saying the word king several times did reality slowly begin to sink in. At the same time, he began to look unwell.

He's telling me to go meet the king?

It was an utterly jaw-dropping situation!

There were three kingdoms and two empires on the continent of MID Online, but up until now, no player had ever met the rulers of these forces.

In other words, if Kai were to meet the king of Rashion, he would be the first among seven-hundred million players!

Of course, I'm happy. But...

It was inevitable to feel curious.

Why me?

Defeating the greatest nightmare created by the Church of Muldine, the Blue Plague Aosa, was undoubtedly an achievement worthy of praise. However, whether it was significant enough to earn direct praise from the king was questionable.

Even the Cheonhwa guild, who defeated Veghas, never got summoned by the king.

So why him?

While Kai was lost in deep thought, the blond young man urged him, "I would appreciate it if you could hurry. His Majesty is not one to enjoy waiting."

"Ah, sorry. Just a moment, please..."

Kai quickly went inside the clinic and summoned Blizzard. "Blizzard, watch over Ayana. Ayana, I need to go somewhere for a bit..."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be playing with Bliz."

"Alright, I'm counting on you."

After glancing at them both, Kai followed the blond young man out of the clinic.

"But how do you plan to get to the palace? As you can see..."

Kai turned to look at a part of the city that was destroyed, feeling a bit embarrassed. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed, having caused the destruction himself.

However, the man calmly took out a magic scroll from his pocket. "I'm aware that the teleport gate is destroyed. I used a scroll to get here, so don't worry."

"A teleport scroll, I see."

"Then you know what to do next."

"Yes, pardon me," Kai slightly bowed his head and placed his hand on the man's shoulder.

A ripping sound pierced his eardrums as the scroll was torn, and the scene in front of him changed. Despite changing locations in an instant, there was no loading screen in MID Online!

Kai slowly took in the new surroundings.

This is the capital of Rashion, Rayark.

It was his first visit, but he had seen it several times in videos. There were well-paved roads, clean and orderly buildings packed tightly on either side. NPCs, both young and old, roamed the streets with worry-free expressions.

Watching them for a moment, Kai pulled the hood of his cleric robe down low.

It would be troublesome if other players saw me visiting the palace.

If he completely covered himself with his robe, others would think he was an NPC of the Church of Solaris.

"We will be late. Please hurry along."

The blond young man headed toward the royal palace with quick steps. Because of this, Kai had to follow him inside without getting a close look at the palace.

Why is my heart racing so fast?

Kai struggled to calm his wildly beating heart. He hadn't been nervous even when facing Aosa, but here he was, nervous about meeting an NPC, and a man at that!

“We’re going in. Please take off your hood now.”

With those brief words, the young man stood in front of a golden door engraved with a magnificent dragon.

In the palace, there was no frivolous knocking. Even without knocking, the doors opened automatically, as if their arrival had been reported in advance.

It’s huge.

The audience chamber was an enormous space, far more than just a room. The distance from the door to the far wall was about thirty meters.

At the end, there were a few steps leading up to a lavish throne.

“You have come,” the owner of the throne said.

Drawn by that voice, Kai’s head lifted.

He is the king of the Kingdom of Rashion...

He had thick eyebrows, a strong-looking jaw, and firmly closed lips, fitting the image of a king. Moreover, his hawk-like eyes were so sharp that they seemed ready to tear apart his opponent the moment they let down their guard.

Ding!

[Unique achievement! You are the first player to meet the ruler of a nation.]

[Special title acquired: Visitor of the King.]

It was a result he had already anticipated since realizing he was the first.

Kai immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully greeted the king, “I, Kai the adventurer, stand before the Sun of Rashion, His Majesty, King Beoruk Von Rashion.”

“Let’s skip all the formalities. Do you know why I have called you?”

Beoruk had a direct personality that matched his appearance.

“I assume it is because I defeated the Blue Plague last night, Your Majesty.”

“That is right. I heard you defeated Aosa on your own. Is that true?”

“Yes, sir. I managed to do it alone with help from above.”

“Huh...” Beoruk nodded, seemingly impressed, and praised Kai, “Well done. The plague spread by the Blue Plague has tormented my people.”

“As a cleric of the Church of Solaris, I could not ignore the suffering of the people.”

Dealing with NPCs in MID Online wasn’t particularly difficult. One simply had to emphasize that they were acting for the NPCs’ benefit.

However, Beoruk was not a simple man. “You are quite good with your words, but I know adventurers do not act solely for honor or faith.”

Simultaneously, a message window appeared.

[Beoruk’s favor has decreased.]

Kai showed a startled expression. Until now, no NPC had ever responded so cynically when he said he had worked hard for their sake.

No, Tardal had a somewhat similar attitude... but it was never to this extent.

Now that he thought about it, he had heard that Tardal was the mentor of the King of Rashion. This was truly a case of the student surpassing the master!

I never thought someone could be stricter than Tardal!

As Kai struggled to hide his bewildered expression, Beoruk's brusque voice drove the point home.

"I greatly dislike adventurers who change their attitudes as easily as flipping a hand based on their benefits. However, public and private matters must be thoroughly distinguished. Since you saved my people, I shall reward you accordingly. So, if there is something you desire, speak it. I will grant your wish in consideration of your deeds."

He wasn't merely asked to state his wish but was told it would be granted. Such grand words could only be spoken by the ruler of a nation!

"I will give you five minutes to think about it. That should be enough time, so take it easy."

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. However, may I use those five minutes for a different purpose?"

At Kai's unexpected statement, Beoruk furrowed his brow.

He openly expressed his displeasure in his voice. "What do you mean?"

"I already know what I want. But if I state it right away, you might doubt my intentions. So I intend to use the five minutes you have given me to convince you, Your Majesty."

“Huh, convince me?”

Beoruk raised the corners of his mouth in a smile. In reality, it was more of a snort of disbelief, but Kai was satisfied even with that.

Way better than a heavy atmosphere.

In a heavy and rigid atmosphere, things that should go well often didn't. So, Kai felt the need to stir Beoruk's heart first.

“Alright. It's the five minutes I already granted you. Use that time to persuade me or contemplate your reward as you wish.”

“Thank you. Then... allow me to borrow Your Majesty's time for a moment.”

Kai took out the magic crystal from his inventory and played it without delay.

At first, Beoruk had an indifferent expression, as if he had no interest. However, as the recorded voice from the magic crystal began to play, his expression gradually hardened, and he straightened his posture.

—They’re the residents of the slums who pay little taxes, aren’t they? If they’re filthy, it’s only natural they get sick. They should just clean themselves. Wait, they’ve been sick for quite a while. Could it be an infectious disease? If so, I’ll need to drive them out of the city...

—... Winter is approaching. Where will they go if they’re driven out now?

—Why ask me? If they were born into this world, they should find a place to stay themselves

—But your calculation misses the most important point. I have no desire to spend that money!

The recording from the magic crystal ball was the conversation Kai had with the pig lord over dinner.

The recorded conversation went well over five minutes, but Beoruk listened intently with his eyes closed until it finished.

Click.

As the recording finished, Kai gulped and looked up at Beoruk.

“That is the end, Your Majesty.”

If my guess is correct, Beoruk is a person who cherishes his people deeply.

When Veghas, who had slaughtered countless adventurers, was caught, he hadn’t called for the Cheonhwa guild.

Yet, he had called for Kai solely because he had saved the citizens poisoned by the Blue Plague, offering him a reward.

This fact alone was enough to show Beoruk’s upright character.

Well, given that strict and principled Tardal was his mentor, he can't be a bad person.

If such a person were to hear the recording of a lord treating his people worse than stray dogs and pigs...

If my guess is correct...

He would support punishing the pig lord.

Kai held back his burning anticipation like a student waiting for their college acceptance results.

A moment later, Beoruk slowly opened his eyes.

And when Kai saw those eyes, he was certain.

It worked!

Beoruk’s eyes were filled with intense anger and displeasure.

He looked down at Kai with a terrifying gaze and asked, "I ask you now, in the name of Beoruk Von Rashion, King of Rashion. Is the content in that magic crystal ball absolutely true?"

"I swear on the name of the Solarian God, every word is true. Please, Your Majesty, verify it if you so wish.”

Beoruk stared directly at Kai.

Receiving that gaze, Kai couldn't help but flinch.

This feeling... I've felt this before!

It was the same feeling as when he had changed to a Solaris Cleric; it was the feeling of something unknown penetrating his body.

[Beoruk used Supreme Sight.]

[Beoruk is verifying your claim.]

[Beoruk has realized you are telling the truth.]

“... I see. So, it is all true."

Beoruk's voice did not tremble with rage or excitement. Instead, it was calm and serene, as if stating a simple fact. He showed silent rage.

Beoruk looked at Kai and asked, "So, what is your wish?"

"The corruption of the Lord of Whitehall and his brother is destroying the city. Please deliver justice upon them and save the suffering people."

Beoruk stared at Kai in silence for a moment before slowly raising his hand.

As he did so, the blond young man waiting at the entrance swiftly approached and bowed before him.

"Go prepare."

"As you command, sire."

The blond young man bowed his head deeply, then stood up and exited the audience chamber.

... What was that conversation just now?

Kai, unable to understand what had just happened, blinked in confusion.

Beoruk, silently observing Kai, slowly asked, "How come?"

"...Your Majesty?"

"I clearly asked you to state your wish, so why did you choose this?"

"This may take some time to explain."

"That's fine."

With Beoruk's permission granted, Kai began his story from the moment he first visited Whitehall. He spoke of the suffering residents and the young girl who cried herself to sleep, longing to see her parents.

“... There is no particular reason, but if I had to name one, it's because I promised Ayana that I would reunite her with her parents."

After hearing the entire story, Beoruk stayed silent and once again looked directly at Kai.

[Beoruk used Supreme Sight.]

[Beoruk is verifying your claim.]

[Beoruk has realized you are telling the truth.]

[Beoruk doubts again. Supreme Sight was reused.]

[Beoruk has realized again that you are telling the truth.]

Beoruk was confused. As far as he knew, adventurers were always looking out for their own interests. They would betray their own comrades and harm NPCs for their own gain, being people who did more harm than good.

But... is this adventurer different?

He had the courage to sacrifice his opportunity for others. That was the fundamental difference between other adventurers and Kai.

After contemplating for a while, Beoruk slowly said, "... Interesting."

Then, he smiled. It wasn't a mocking smile like before but a genuine smile of amusement.

An adventurer like this exists?

He felt like he discovered a pearl buried in the mud. Moreover, this person was the very adventurer his mentor had recently taken an interest in.

Very interesting.

Without realizing it, this was the moment Kai had gained a formidable ally.