Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 521: Inside the Overlord’s Dreams

“Have you seen his vassals and subordinates? Have you seen how desperately they fought for their king? It’s because their king is great that’s why they’re like that.”

“From what I heard, Beyond the Heavens Kingdom is a weak nation. But looking at it now, aren’t the Beyond the Heavens’ King and his men on par with that of an empire? Even if that’s not the case, they’re still better than our kingdom.”

“Actually, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom might be a small nation, but the power that they possess is out of this world.”

As the voice of his subjects grew louder in his ears, King Lloyd felt that he was unable to raise his head anymore.

‘I…’

He, the king of his own nation, tried his hardest to stop the small kingdom from flourishing and gaining great wealth and prosperity in the future.

But what did the Beyond the Heavens’ King do in response? He only fought to protect those that are precious to him, even honoring those who died, regardless of sides. In a way, they could consider the Beyond the Heavens’ King as foolish and naive. But his heartfelt emotions and firm belief was enough to sway and shake the hearts of King Lloyd’s subjects.

In fact, even King Lloyd himself started to reflect after witnessing the Beyond the Heavens’ King and his vassals showcase their power to protect what was precious to them.

Still unable to raise his head, King Lloyd glimpsed a burst of white light. When he looked up, he saw that all of the wounded were already healed. Then, Lloyd looked down at the cup of warm americano in his hands.

‘The scent of coffee is really pleasant.’

Lloyd took the warm americano to his mouth and took a sip. The soft and smooth americano brought a gentle warmth along his body, washing away his fatigue and exhaustion. Then, King Lloyd moved toward Minhyuk.

***

“My, my injuries have recovered!”

“My goodness, such a shocking effect!”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Everyone admired the surprising effects of the coffee beans made by Barista Ben.

Minhyuk, who finished drinking his cold americano, moved to drink a cup of warm americano. At that moment, King Lloyd and the hundreds of nobles and knights, the core powers of Baroque Kingdom, approached him. Naturally, the key figures and executives of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom took their place behind Minhyuk. Minhyuk just stared at Lloyd and his entourage, he did not need to bow down to him. After all, he was the king of his own kingdom. In fact, he even looked at him haughtily.

Once King Lloyd stood in front of Minhyuk, he said, “We were only able to protect Baroque Kingdom thanks to the help of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

A commotion burst out in the scene from his words. Meanwhile, the commentators interpreted his words.

[A very shocking scene is unfolding in front of us.]

[The king of a nation is openly admitting that his own troops are lacking and that they were only able to overcome this situation thanks to the help of another nation. Right now, Lloyd, the King of Baroque Kingdom, has given in to Player Minhyuk and has acknowledged his kingdom, Beyond the Heavens Kingdom and him as a king.]

That was right. The words of a king have the power and influence to change the situation of a kingdom. The words that King Lloyd had uttered had left a huge impact on everyone listening.

“Our Baroque Kingdom will never forget the grace given to us by Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. We hope for a smooth exchange between our kingdom and yours in the future,” It seemed like King Lloyd was not yet done, uttering another very shocking remark.

The kingdoms of Asgan Continent refused to acknowledge Beyond the Heavens Kingdom as a kingdom and a nation. Because of that, no kingdom had entered any diplomatic ties and exchanges with them. No matter how excellent the goods and products the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom offered, none of them made contact with them.

In the end, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom reached the limits and failed to gain much profit. After all, they were not able to export much of their products to the other kingdoms. But the Baroque Kingdom, a kingdom that was around eight times the size of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, actually proposed an exchange.

King Lloyd opened his mouth once again, “However, we won’t be able to take arms and fight for Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. I hope you can understand us with regards to this.”

Once again, the commentators interpreted Lloyd’s words.

[Not being able to take arms and fight for Beyond the Heavens Kingdom meant that they would only engage in diplomatic exchanges and would not move their soldiers and troops for Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

[The moment they move their troops, the Baroque Kingdom will also be prey to the other kingdoms that refuse to recognize Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

Sure enough, a king was a king. King Lloyd was the king of his own nation and he would only move for the benefit of his own kingdom. Any citizen of his country would not have the right to call him a bad ruler even with a decision like this. After all, he was making sure that no risk befell them.

King Lloyd sported a subtle and light smile on his face. An exchange with Beyond the Heavens Kingdom! This was a reward that would help Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, a proposal that would benefit each kingdom. After all, the Baroque Kingdom would be able to wipe away the financial difficulties brought about by the disappearance of the ties that they had with Barras Kingdom with this exchange. It was more than enough. This was what King Lloyd believed.

Everyone wondered what Minhyuk’s response would be.

“Baroque Kingdom’s King Lloyd… I never said that I would engage in diplomatic discussions and exchanges with Baroque Kingdom though?”

“…!”

King Lloyd was stunned. This scene shocked everyone watching. In fact, if they looked at it from Minhyuk’s perspective, King Lloyd, who made it seem like he was being very generous, was just mocking his kingdom. After all, King Lloyd offered a proposal that would benefit his own kingdom with no regards to the benefits that Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would receive.

King’s Lloyd’s face turned red as he said, “I have no intention of getting support from Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s troops either, this would be purely a trade-based transaction. Both sides would benefit from this.”

Baroque Kingdom did not want to take any risk. Also…

“So, you think that’s more than enough reward for the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?”

What King Lloyd was suggesting was a deal, not a reward nor a repayment. Only then did King Lloyd realize, ‘He’s not a pushover…!’ When he looked at Beyond the Heavens’ Kingdom’s Genie, he thought that she was a very business-minded individual, good at making transactions. But he realized he underestimated the king of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom as well.

“If that’s what you’re thinking, then I’m very sorry to disappoint you. I’m sure Baroque Kingdom has to use a lot of money to mend the damages that you have received in this war. Would you really be alright if we decide not to engage in diplomatic discussions and exchanges with you?”

For Minhyuk, more was better, never less. He was the kind of person that would squeeze every last bit of thing that he could take advantage of, and would absolutely not suffer from any losses. Instead of going angry, King Lloyd felt relieved.

‘We might not be providing military support to them for the time being but I’m sure that we can trust Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.’

Even if they were being calculative in this way, Lloyd was sure that he and his kingdom would be guaranteed to survive in the future.

‘They’re worth considering an alliance with.’

In fact, Lloyd even wanted to applaud Minhyuk on how he was handling this matter.

“What do you want?”

“I want a 2% increase in all transactions and products that our Beyond the Heavens Kingdom will sell in your kingdom. I also want a 2% reduction in the prices of all the products and transactions that we will buy and make in your kingdom. Next, let’s talk about the compensations that you have to give us for the damages that we incurred in this war.”

A 2% increase in transactions and products sold, as well as a 2% reduction in transactions and products bought by Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would definitely rake in a huge profit for their kingdom. With this, the Baroque Kingdom would lose as much as 4% in every transaction they made with Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

“As compensation for the military support in this war, we will give you 20,000 platinum and 2,000 good warhorses. We will also provide fifty tons of minerals for weapon and armor production.”

“How about increasing that to 23,000 platinum?”

Ah, what a true and genuine daylight robbery.

However, King Lloyd just shook his head helplessly and said, “Fine.”

Everyone watched in amazement as the deal was sealed. Minhyuk was already hailed as a king, but in a way, it could be said that this was the first time a player had succeeded in making a deal with a king of another nation.

Then, the notifications rang.

[As per Baroque Kingdom’s deal with Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Vice Guild Master, they promised to pay 45% of their kingdom’s tax this month in exchange for military support.]

[You will be able to receive the payment by the end of the month.]

[As per King Lloyd’s orders, you will be able to receive 23,000 platinum, 2,000 warhorses, and 50 tons of minerals and ores.]

[You can now engage in diplomatic discussions and exchanges with Baroque Kingdom.]

[However, Baroque Kingdom does not promise any military support. The two kingdoms may discuss this matter again in the future.]

[All transactions and products sold by Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to the Baroque Kingdom will be 2% more expensive. All transactions and products bought by Beyond the Heavens Kingdom from Baroque Kingdom will be 2% cheaper.]

These notifications signaled the satisfactory results of the deal between the two kingdoms. Also…

[As the king of a nation, you are the only player that has received the recognition of the king of another nation!]

[You have acquired the Title: Extraordinary King.]

The effects of the title ‘Extraordinary King’ were tremendous. In fact, the title was even one of the rare growth type titles. It had the power to draw the attention of the other kingdoms’ kings and would have a greater effect the more kings acknowledged Minhyuk and his kingdom. With this, Minhyuk would be able to bring various kingdoms to his side one after the other.

However, things were not yet over. Minhyuk still had something important to do. Minhyuk turned around and walked toward Prince Votto of the Warrior’s Nation, who was taking off his mask. After the battle ended, only a thousand were left from the Lumae Kingdom troops.

‘My own greed has cost the lives of Lumae Kingdom’s people and has tarnished the reputation of the Warrior’s Nation.’

A lot of people died, and for what? For nothing. They could only blame themselves for allowing themselves to be fooled.

“Beyond the Heavens’ King! Quickly bring judgment upon them!” The voice of King Lloyd, the biggest victim of this catastrophe, was both loud and fierce. At that, Prince Votto looked back at his troops that promised to die for him.

“Beyond the Heavens’ King, I will take my own life here. However, I hope that your grace and magnanimity can be as broad as the sea and the skies, and allow my troops to live.”

“P, Prince!!!”

“N, no!!!”

“We, we should die together!”

“This is an order,” Prince Votto spoke firmly to his screaming troops as he pointed the tip of his sword to himself.

Minhyuk frowned at the display as he thought, ‘Lumae Kingdom is the Warrior’s Nation. Even though Prince Votto is a part of that nation, he must definitely die. But…’

But right now, Minhyuk thought that he was standing at a crossroad of some sort. He could feel it, he could feel that something big would happen and the choices that he made at this point in time would likely bring huge changes. After quickly coming to a decision, Minhyuk dashed forward, grabbing Prince Votto’s hands, who was about to stab his abdomen.

“Enough.”

“…?”

Prince Votto looked at Minhyuk in confusion. Minhyuk had chosen not to kill Prince Votto right away.

“Since you’re a prince, you bear the responsibility for your own country. If that’s the case, then apologize to your subjects first before committing suicide.”

“…”

Prince Votto’s arms trembled at Minhyuk’s words. He had already heard the resentment of his people. If he died like this, then he would be considered as a person that ran away by dying.

‘That’s right…’

Prince Votto realized that Minhyuk’s words were true. He had to apologize to his people first before dying. Prince Votto had also come to realize the implications of Minhyuk’s words.

‘He did not tell me to not die.’

The man in front of Votto just told him to not die right away. Perhaps it was because he was giving him time to be accountable to his subjects. Votto felt gratitude toward the man in front of him. That was why he said, “I understand. And… please grant me a favor.”

Minhyuk thought, ‘As expected.’ Simply put, Prince Votto’s life and death were two paths at a crossroads. The path that he chose had led him to this point.

“I believe you know the reason already but Lumae Kingdom is approaching its downfall.”

Of course, Minhyuk knew. The main reason for this was because their king, Overlord Raldo, had fallen into some unexplainable deep sleep.

‘I heard that he’s quite strong. He’s even Ellie-noona’s rival.’

But such a person had fallen into a deep sleep. Then, this would only mean one thing. There was something hidden here by the system.

“King of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, I heard that you are a foreigner. And foreigners have powers that we don’t have. Can you please look at His Majesty’s condition?”

Then, a quest window popped up in front of Minhyuk.

Ring!

[Hidden Quest: The Sleeping Warrior God Raldo.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: The One that Prince Votto asked a favor from.

Rewards: ???

Penalty for Failure: Favor with Lumae Kingdom and Baroque Kingdom would decrease.

Description: The Warrior Nation, Lumae Kingdom’s Raldo is currently in a deep sleep. Investigate the cause of his deep sleep.

King Lloyd, who could not understand the situation, immediately flared up, “What is the meaning of this?!”

But Minhyuk only smiled lightly and said, “King Lloyd, you should widen your perspective. We have been at war and have gained victory. What can we even get if we kill Prince Votto right away?”

Then, they would only have a lonely victory. On the other hand? King Lloyd’s thoughts turned swiftly. What would happen once Warrior God Raldo awakened? Then, they could ask King Raldo compensation and rewards for the crimes that they have committed. This was what Prince Votto had done and it would be hard to charge King Raldo with these crimes.

But what if he awakened? Then, it would be possible.

‘Amazing. He can look at things so far ahead…’ King Lloyd could only clicked his tongue while looking at the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s King, the Food God, with increased admiration.

It was at this moment that they decided the next destination that Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would go to.