CH 296

“Wow…… so Kidd has fans too.”

There were even female fans chanting his name. As Leeha smiled and clapped for him, Kidd pulled his hat down in shame. Even on days like this, his female fans are attracted to his attitude of insisting on wearing a trench coat and a hat instead of wearing robes, along with his attitude of being indifferent. Do they think he’s chic or something? The crowd shouted Kidd’s name even stronger than before.

“Yeah, that’s normal. It’s natural to be embarrassed- hmm?”

Leeha thought it was fortunate that there was another person who was not used to this kind of place… Until he saw Kijeong.

“Puhahaha, look at Byeolcho’s guild master!”

“His left hand and left feet are moving together!”

“Are you a robot? Wahahah!”

The atmosphere around them brightened up at Master Kay’s movements. Tale, who stood nearby, let out a big sigh, and Biyemi covered his eyes.

“Ughh, Kay…”

“Kiskis, the total number of viewers worldwide will be at least five million..… I guess I’ll have to take off my guild cape for a while.”

At least Kijeong was able to firmly imprint his image as he had an overwhelming talent that made even solemn seats into bright parties! The king rose from his throne and personally presented them with their rewards. There were items specially produced by the Royal Palace for their job, additional stat points, and gold coins.

While exchanging whispers with Kijeong, Leeha identified the contents of the rewards. Apart from being able to change contributions into stats, getting additional stats was actually the greatest reward.

‘Oh dear. In other words, ‘honor’ is a reward. Well, for people like them, 10 stat points are great, but…. Isn’t it too little? Well, if I change the contribution to stats, it will also get additional stat points.’

Still, Leeha thought it was a little compared to what he had suffered. After finishing the awarding from 10th to 4th, the NPC shouted again at the place where they entered.

“3rd in merit is Pei Wu, 2nd in merit is John Edward Granville and 1st in merit is Ha Leeha, please move to the stage!”

Gulp, Leeha whose turn had finally come, calmed himself down and rose from his seat. It was a moment as tense as when he shot Crolang through the holes of the trolls’ bodies.

Pei Wu! Pei Wu!

Ooooh, look at that person, it’s Ha Leeha!

Doesn’t he look average?

“Someone use a scroll! How high is his level?”

“Kuhahaha, if you do something like that in the Royal Palace, your head will fly.”

The cheers for Pei Wu were quickly covered with curiosity for Leeha. When someone tried to use a scroll, a strong arm grabbed their hand. With a hearty laugh, and thick and hairy forearms, Leeha recognized him.

“Commander Burke?”

Heading to the stage where the king was, their eyes met for a moment, Burke winked at Leeha and turned around.

“You guys! Be polite to old man Granville and Ha Leeha!”

“Don’t you have to keep quiet, captain?”

“Shut up! You take a seat as well! Cough, on behalf of the Fibiel navy, and all of Sailfish’s crew!

—Attention!”

Chachak-!

Naval Commander Burke and the navigator NPC raised their voices. Even among the users’ loud voices, their voices resounded.

“To the hero of Dike Beach —— Salute!”

Chak-!

The NPCs and users had unified movements. The users that belonged to Sailfish also had respect for Leeha.

They respected Leeha for his ridiculous strategies and tremendous skills, and those feelings  were deeply embedded in their movements

Leeha lowered his head slightly, forcibly suppressing the tears that were about to burst. The king was not such a narrow-minded person that would be offended at the sight of people saluting in front of him. Rather, he had a happy expression on his face.

“Third rank, Pei Wu, kneel.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

When Pei Wu knelt down, the king stepped forward. Unlike before, the NPC aide held a small wooden board. What the king lifted was a medal, something that the 10th to 4th rank did not receive.

“The fact that you struggled while leading the invasion route against Minis, and the role you and your guild played throughout the war with Minis is highly appreciated.”

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

“I award the Purple Heart Medal to Pei Wu, the third-ranked contributor. With this medal, you will gain the authority to choose one ite from the Royal Treasury.”

Wooooooow—–!

From 10th to 4th, they were given one item.

Middle Earth appropriately judged and randomly gifted them an item suitable for their job. 

However, this was different as they could personally choose an item. Users who realized the difference couldn’t help but be amazed.

“Second rank, John Edward Granville. As the commander-in-chief of this war, you have done your part well.”

“No, Your Majesty. Please punish me for not being able to carry out Your Majesty’s order to the end.”

The king smiled warmly at Granville’s words. Clearly, what he said from the beginning was to erase Minis and Kraven from the map. The headstrong Granville blamed himself when he brought up the words from that time.

“This is a special situation, so don’t worry about it. You have been my sword and shield, and are the pride of Fibiel.”

“Your Majesty…”

The king picked up another medal from the NPC aid. Unlike Pei Wu’s purple medal, it was silver-colored. It was a pretty familiar design.

“This Silver Star is awarded to John Edward Granville, the 2nd ranked contributor. You will also be given the authority to choose two items from the Royal Palace’s warehouse..”

Woooooow—-! Two!

But what will he do with two? No, if he gets two, what would the next person get? Granville raised both of his hands to receive the medal bestowed by the king. Now, the surprise of the users had turned into curiosity and anticipation. If third-ranked and 2nd-ranked were like this, what will the 1st-ranked contributor get?

“Kneel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Leeha naturally kneeled in front of the king. Even though he was so nervous when the 3rd and 2nd ranked were awarded. When his turn came, the tension disappeared and he felt at ease.

“Your amazing performance, regardless of military service, could even be heard throughout the capital. The commander-in-chief, naval commander, and army commanders have unilaterally praised you.”

“They overpraise me. I only carried out the missions according to the strategy.”

“That is the hardest thing for a soldier. There’s no need to be humble. Because you are Fibiel’s most outstanding citizen today. Stand up.”

As Leeha stood up, the king picked up the remaining medal from the NPC aide. It was a gold medal with two stars flashing from his hand.

“Ha Leeha, you showed the best performance and bravery in this war by performing more than what is expected of you, regardless of the threat to your life-”

The king lifted up the medal and attached it to Leeha’s clothes.

– as the King of Fibiel, I award you with this Medal of Honor.”

Gulp, even though the king had finished speaking, the users did not cheer yet. The Medal of Honor, or whatever, didn’t matter to the crowd. So what are the rewards going to be?

“As a reward, you will be given the right to choose three items from the Royal Treasury, and additionally-”

Woooooow—— Oh, wait, there’s something else!

The admiring users hurriedly lowered their voices. The king waited until the surroundings were sufficiently quiet. Leeha and the king were caught on one screen and broadcast to the whole world. As light reflected from the Medal of Honor in Leeha’s chest, the king opened his mouth again. It was only then that he understood why Ram Hwayeon had said that he might not need Castle Dale’s earnings any longer.

“-I will officially appoint you to a position where you can manage a city or castle that will be acquired after signing the peace treaty with Minis.”

The king’s voice spread throughout the palace. There was no reaction other than breathing. It took about 6 seconds for the people to understand what the king meant.

“No way?”

“Really? Did I understand it correctly?”

“He’s going to give him a castle?!”

“Waaaaaa! That’s nonsense! C-castle lord? Not even to a guild, but to an individual?”

Uwaaaaaaa——-!!!

Ha Leeha! Ha Leeha! Ha Leeha!

The explosive shouts and chanting for Leeha continued for a long time. It was a reward that made even the related party unable to come to his senses.

“Huh? What- what did he give me?”

A city or castle?

Leeha thought for a long time whether he heard it correctly. The actual ruler of Castle Dale was the Hwahong guild, and its guild master, Ram Hwayeon. Does that mean he was given that kind of authority? Really?

“Eong-aaaaaaaah!!!”

Leeha became sure when he saw Kijeong’s reaction. He was the first person to scream and run out of the central garden of the Royal Palace, which had become noisy like a festival. With his eyes moistened, his stiff movements from before could no longer be seen, he expressed natural joy throughout his body.

“Kijeong-ah!!”

The two cousins embraced each other. Strictly speaking, it was against the Royal Palace’s etiquette, but the king already anticipated it.

Boooo—— Boooom! Booom!

A loud congratulatory fanfare began to ring with the effect of the congratulatory magic.

“Oh my god! I didn’t believe it, but the information was really…”

“Nice, oppa.”

“It is only natural for a person like Ha Leeha to be treated this much.”

Ram Hwayeon, Ram Hwajeong, and Pei Wu could not hide their surprise.

“What- What happened! Castle? Oh, oh, oh”

“Hut, even I, who hunted with him just a while ago, did not know of this.”

When asked by Shin Nara, who is much more excited than usual, Kidd secretly stressed his closeness with Leeha. As the rankers greeted Leeha with amazement and congratulations, the king added something more to the joyful crowd.

(To be continued…)