CH 399

At that moment, another set of notifications rang for Minhyuk.

Ring!

[Unexpected Quest: Save Queen Iris]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: The One that received the Kingdom Building Quest.

Rewards: King’s Authority

Penalty for Failure: You will fail in rescuing Rocard Kingdom.

Description: You have captured the hearts of 500 people. However, they will only be able to migrate to your own territory with Queen Iris’ permission. Right now, Queen Iris has gone crazy after being subjected to Vormon’s brainwashing. Save her from her madness and release her brainwashing!

The sudden appearance of a quest to save Queen Iris! The thing that Minhyuk was most curious about was the part that said ‘King’s Authority’. This was something that he had not heard of before.

However, one thing was for sure. Queen Iris’ rescue was much more important than what was written on the notifications. After all, there was a high chance that Minhyuk would be able to strike a good deal with her once he released her from her brainwashing.

Minhyuk thought that it would be better for him to visit the Royal Palace first. Besides, he knew that everything would be alright, even if he left this place to Ali for a while.

The elites that had eaten the chapagetti were now burning with enthusiasm. After all, their attack had increased by 39%, while their rate of natural recovery increased by 80%. In fact, it was already safe to say that they had grown 1.5x stronger than they were before. So, he moved to his destination quickly.

***

Mercenary King Brod’s legends were spread not only in Asgan Continent, but through all of the continents in the world. He was a man that had made plenty of achievements across plenty of continents.

Brod was a part of the Hybrid Race. To be exact, he was a half-breed. He was born between the love of a Hybrid and a human! The Hybrid Race had a longer lifespan than humans, and this year, Brod had turned 192 years old. Although he inherited the Hybrid Race’s long lifespan, he did not inherit their talent for ‘farming’.

Because he was a half-breed with a different nature and characteristic, this kingdom had always ignored and treated him badly. Especially when he did not have any talent for farming. This was the reason why he left the kingdom. Instead of farming, he used his sword to travel the world. He only came back after he became strong.

Even though Brod now had the power to conquer everything in the world, he came back to this kingdom for a reason. Some would say that perhaps it was for a retreat, but his main reason for returning was for ‘Queen Iris’.

Mercenary King Brod and Queen Iris were born in the same year. When they were fifteen, the shabby and dirty Brod watched Princess Iris’ journey through the kingdom. The people of the Hybrid Race that saw him immediately mocked and belittled him.

‘How dare that half-breed look at the princess’ face?!’

‘Bastard?!’

‘Can’t he just drop dead?!’

Brod had lost his parents, he did not have the capability to support himself. That was why he was dressed so shabbily. The crowd went mad and tried to throw stones at him. But just when he was about to escape…

‘What are you all doing?!!!’ Princess Iris cried out.

That beautiful voice still rang clearly in Brod’s memories.

‘That child is also my subject. He is also a precious person!’

It was the first time. It was the first time that Brod had ever been called ‘precious’. Even so, Brod had thought that the princess was just pretending in front of her people. But once night fell, the princess visited his barren and almost-collapsed hut with a sword in her hand.

‘You don’t have the talent for farming like the rest of the Hybrid Race, but you have the dexterity of a human and our long lifespan. Why don’t you try to wield a sword?’

Brod was beyond thrilled. This girl was the only one that reached her hand out to a beggar like him.

‘It’s just because you pity me, right?’

‘No.’

Princess Iris’ words were firm and resolute.

‘It’s not just because. I heard that we were born at the same time. Besides, I knew from the moment that I saw you that we will be able to forge a deep and strong bond.’

‘I don’t know how to repay your grace…’

‘Then, protect me with that sword. Promise me that you will become strong.’

‘I promise.’

From what Brod heard, Princess Iris had the ability to see through people at a glance. So, he believed her. And from that point on, Brod held and swung a sword. To him, the princess also changed from being a princess to a friend. Eventually, Brod fell in love with her. However, he never showed it. Rumors started to circulate that the princess was Brod’s woman. But it was never proven, especially since Brod left the kingdom to travel the world.

Out there, he swung his sword to the point that rumors about him cutting down an entire kingdom started spreading! As it turned out, that was a fact. There were also rumors about him cutting down 70,000-strong troops by himself! It was also true. Rumors about him becoming the king of the mercenaries all over the world also started circulating! And as usual, it was also true.

The Undefeated Mythical. The Strongest Swordsman. The Mercenary King. The God’s Empire’s Knight. These were a few among the countless titles that were attached to Brod’s name. However, he came back one day. Back to the arms of Queen Iris.

When Brod came back, Queen Iris’ was already on her slow descent to madness. Trapped by Vormon’s brainwashing, she was slowly losing her sanity. Just a few days ago, they were notified of Vormon’s death. However, this did not free her, instead, it eroded her sanity even more.

Back then, there was a short window where she regained her sanity. At that time, Queen Iris called, ‘Sir Brod.’

‘Yes, Your Highness?’

‘Please don’t leave my side. And… And if I ever want to stain my Rocard Kingdom with chaos and destruction then… kill me.’

‘…?!’

Brod looked at Queen Iris in shock. She continued to speak despite her trembling lips, ‘You have to be the one to do it. Remember the first time we met? When I told you that we will be able to forge a deep and strong bond? When I met you, I knew that we would grow to love each other.’

‘…’

Brod had no words. All he could do was look silently at her.

‘I love you… so much. And…’

Alas, her words ended there. She turned silent as she lost consciousness once again.

And now, she had gone crazy.

“Kyahahahahaha! Open the gates!!! Shouldn’t we go and welcome the Undead Corps?! Huh?! My knight order commander, Brod!!! What are you doing?! Why aren’t you cutting down the undead?! Hihihihihi!”

Brod knelt on one knee in front of the mad queen, Iris. He had his head bowed down, with his sword lying flat on the ground on his right side. He had maintained that posture for days on end. Queen Iris was a very powerful existence. If she went wild, then everyone inside Rocard Kingdom would die. Besides, even if she did not say it, Brod knew what she wanted to say in the end.

‘Please protect the kingdom.’

Brod hated this kingdom, he only maintained civility for his lover. If Iris died, then he would disappear along with this kingdom. He glanced back for a moment. There, in a corner, was a box wrapped in cloth.

‘Brod. I heard that the outside world is filled with recipes that use our kingdom’s ingredients, as well as various delicious dishes. Is it true? I really want to try them!’

Brod had always told her tales about the outside world and she would always have a look of anticipation on her face. When she descended into madness, Brod went to the ‘God’s World’ to find a way to stop her brainwashing even for a moment. There were only a few that knew how to get to God's World! And one of them was Brod!

And that box over there was something that he got from there. It was the ingredient for the ‘steak’ that she had been craving so much. The ingredient was very special. Imbued with God Athenae’s power, this beef could exert a very shocking power. The ingredient was, in fact, so amazing that it could even clear away Vormon’s brainwashing that had devoured her sanity.

However, the ingredient was very sensitive. Brod had just arrived with the ingredient, but it was already releasing a foul and rotten stench.

‘I can’t even help you get a taste of the steak that you wanted to eat so much.’

Brod looked up at her with a bitter smile on his face. At that moment, Iris’ eyes widened in anger.

“Brod! Did you not hear what I ordered you to do?! Go and kill those undead! If you’re not going, then I’ll go there myself!”

Iris rose from her throne.

“You can’t go.”

If Iris went, then she would kill both the undead and her beloved subjects inside Rocard Kingdom. But she did not stop. So, Brod moved and blocked her path.

Shiiiiiiing—

The clear ring of the sword being pulled out of its sheath rang loudly in the room. This was the sword that cut more than a million enemies. The first sword that he owned, the sword that Iris handed to him. The sword had been stained countless times with blood as it cut down millions of his enemies, until it became a sword that held amazing power.

But this very same sword had turned into a sword that would cut her.

“Are you going to kill me?” Iris snorted. Not long after, she cackled, “Kyahahahaha! You’re going to kill me! Hihihihihi! Go on, kill me. Brod!!!”

Brod only needed one move. Just a single sword strike, and he could cut her throat, but his hands could not move. He should have cut off her neck when she ordered for the gates to be opened, but he did not. He did not want to be the one to cut off her life. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he forced himself to hold his sword against her.

“I’ll be right behind you.”

Brod lifted his sword as high as he could. But at that moment…

Shwaaaaaa—

…a strange scythe tied to a chain swooped in.

Claaang—

“Keheook!” A strange man groaned as he flew back from Brod’s powerful strike that slammed into the scythe.

“Please stop! I’m here to save the queen!” The man shouted loudly in between gasps after rolling on the ground.

‘Save the queen.’ 

These words resonated with Brod’s heart. Brod quickly turned to look at the strange man and asked, “Who are you?”

The man hesitated for a moment but in the end, he replied, “I’m the Food God.”

***

Minhyuk looked at his hands holding Diablo’s Scythe. It was shaking badly after receiving a single hit from Brod. The impact from the powerful blow was something that Minhyuk had never experienced, ever.

There was also a reason why Minhyuk answered Brod’s question with ‘Food God’. By telling Brod that he had a ‘God’ class, he could possibly gain his trust. In fact, hearing his words put a dash of hope in Brod’s eyes.

“Did you just say that you’re going to save Her Highness?”

“Yes!”

Brod had heard somewhere that foreigners had special powers that allowed them to do things that they, locals, could not do themselves. Minhyuk’s words brought a small light of hope in Brod.

Then, another notification window appeared in front of Minhyuk.

[Unexpected Quest: Save Queen Iris has changed.]

Ring!

[Unexpected Quest: Queen Iris’ Final Radiance of the Setting Sun.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: The One that received the Kingdom Building Quest.

Rewards: King’s Authority, Rocard Kingdom’s Guardian

Penalty for Failure: Death

Description: Queen Iris is fighting an invisible battle against Vormon’s brainwashing. Perhaps your dish is what she needs to gain that final push. If you successfully clear the quest, Queen Iris and Mercenary King Brod will help you protect Rocard Kingdom.

Final radiance of the setting sun.

This was the phenomenon when the sky would brighten imperceptibly for a brief moment of time, before the sun set completely and darkness took over. It could also mean the person’s final burst of strength before dying. In other words, even if Minhyuk worked hard to cook and feed her, she would still die a few days later. She would only stand up once again to save her beloved kingdom.

‘This will be the quest’s ending…?’

Minhyuk might not be aware, but this quest was actually dependent on one’s class. That was why the unexpected quest changed. It changed to suit the person taking the quest.

If he was a knight, he would be tasked to destroy the black staff hidden in the depths of Black Dragon Vormon’s lair. If he was a mage, he would be tasked to enter Vormon’s room and gain the recognition of Vormon’s Guardian Knights and acquire a ‘temporary antidote’.

The quest had a ton of variety in ways that it could be cleared. As a player whose class was related to cooking, Minhyuk was tasked to cook a dish and help Iris regain her sanity. However, even if the quest or the class changed, the result would remain the same. She would still die in the end.

“How is it?! Is there a way to save her?! Hey! Tell me if there’s a way! Tell me if you can save her!!!”

Before he came here, Minhyuk had heard the whole story from Beth. Brod’s continuous questions had made Minhyuk’s head turn blank. Could he even tell him that he could just help her live for a short moment?

‘This is a scenario in Athenae where the queen is supposed to die.’

That might be the case but Minhyuk knew that a scenario in Athenae was just a scenario. In the end, the scenario could be created and altered by the players. The problem was that Minhyuk could not see an answer at this very moment. He did not have the time to solve this leisurely. Should he just take the set path and let her temporarily regain her consciousness?

Minhyuk worriedly answered Brod, “I can temporarily let her regain her consciousness.”

“Tem… porarily…?”

Brod’s breath got stuck in his throat.

Perhaps he would be in much more pain than he was in now. He could tell that he would feel a much deeper and sharper pain in his heart even if he could see her, who had lost her mind to madness, come back to herself and regain her sanity to save her kingdom. But at that moment…

Thud—

“I’m begging you. Please save my lady!”

Mercenary King Brod knelt down on both knees. He even held his sword in both hands and presented it to Minhyuk.

“This, this is all I have. I will give you this, so please…”

This was Brod’s sword that had cut millions of enemies. However, Minhyuk did not covet it. All he wanted to do was to help Brod. This was because he knew what a ‘precious person’ was. For Minhyuk, Athenae was not just a virtual world filled with people created with artificial intelligence. This was a world where he could eat a lot of delicious food, build a lot of new relationships, and live a new and fulfilling life.

So for him, this place was another world.

Then, an unexpected set of notifications rang for Minhyuk.

[The power of the God of Death is embedded deeply in Mercenary King Brod’s Sword.]

[Mercenary King Brod’s Continent Destroyer Sword has reached the God Rank.]

[You can challenge the Fourth God Artifact Quest.]

[All of the three challengers before you have failed the quest.]

“…God Artifact?”

That was right. The sword that cut down millions of enemies, the very same sword that Brod had presented to him, was a God-rank sword. A God-rank artifact that had yet to appear in the world.