NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24-1
In the game “Territory War,” the hero units were ranked from the lowest F to the highest SSS, a total of nine grades.
‘Is it really Wazir…?’
If the white-haired person was called Wazir Grand Duke, as Otto predicted, it meant that a hero unit of SSS rank had appeared.
‘No, it can’t be.’
The named hero unit was not something that could be obtained easily like picking up a stray cat.
Otto abandoned his expectations and slowly approached the man to speak.
“Excuse me, sir. Is there a seat here?”
Then, the white-haired man replied while puffing his pipe.
“There’s no seat. Where could there be a seat for you or me in this small riverside? When you sit down, that’s your own seat.”
“Thank you.”
Otto sat down and looked at the white-haired man.
‘Is he really him? Or is not it? I’m confused.’
Feeling Otto’s awkward gaze, the man was about to speak when.
“By any chance… Are Grand Duke Wazir von Basile?”
“Do you know me?”
“OMG?!”
“I didn’t know there were young people who recognize me even in this rural area.”
“Uh, my apologies.”
Otto almost fainted at the fact that the white-haired man was indeed Grand Duke Wazir.
[Wazir von Basile]
He was a legendary politician, and administrative bureaucrat, as well as a diplomat.
The title of Grand Duke he held was a very noble status that was recognized throughout the continent.
Based on his brilliant abilities in the past, he worked as a mercenary in several countries to prove his skills, and is also the teacher of the outstanding lords of this era.
After retiring completely from the front line ten years ago, he is now traveling around the continent and spending his old age.
Classification: Hero
Race: Human
Age: 77
Affiliation: None
Rank: SSS
Specialty: National Revival
Grand Duke Wazir’s specialty, National Revival, was an SSS-class ability optimized for national administration, which all players coveted.
Therefore, gamers playing “Territory War” wanted to recruit Wazir Grand Duke by any means possible.
Just the existence of Grand Duke Wazir made the country run smoothly, so they didn’t have to pay much attention to domestic affairs while playing the game.
Furthermore, with his immense connections and reputation as a foundation, his diplomatic abilities were outstanding. Just having Duke Wazir was enough to make diplomacy go smoothly.
Tactics 90 / Force 35 / Politics 90
Leadership 90 / Charm 90 / Dignity 99
Infamy 70 / Honor 99 / Domestic Affairs 99
Health 80 / Credibility 99 / Ability 99
Luck 50 / Diplomacy 99 / Administration 99
As a hero unit of SSS grade, Duke Wazir’s abilities were also very good.
‘Wow, this is huge. Duke Wazir is coming out.’
Otto’s mind went blank when he hit the jackpot, but he held on to his sanity and spoke to Wazir.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am…”
“That’s enough.”
“Excuse me…?”
“Why should I bother with knowing a name like a young man from the countryside?”
“….”
“It doesn’t matter who’s next to me, but don’t make a lot of noise. The fish might run away.”
“…. Okay.”
Otto kept quiet and watched over Duke Wazir until he finished fishing…
***
About 3 hours later.
“Sigh. The fishing isn’t going well today.”
With frustration, Wazir got up from his spot, having only caught a few small fish, let alone a crucian carp.
“Are you finished?”
Otto spoke to Wazir eagerly.
“You’re still here?”
“Yes…?”
“I thought you had already left.”
“….”
“You’re the reason why the fish aren’t biting, aren’t you?”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“The fish heard you breathing and got scared away!”
“How is that my fault?”
“Isn’t that so?”
“Of course, not…”
“That’s what an adult would say! Young people talk too much these days! If an adult says something, you just say ‘Yes’!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Ugh! You, young people have no respect these days!”
After getting irritated with Otto, Wazir packed up his fishing gear and loaded it onto his horse.
“Excuse me, Grand Duke? If it’s not too rude of me to ask…”
“Of course, it’s rude, so shut up.”
“….”
“It’s almost winter, but there are still flies around. Tsk tsk.”
Otto almost snapped back at Wazir but held back.
‘Just endure it, endure it. He is valuable Hero Unit.’
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
‘I have to hire him somehow.‘
He didn’t want to miss out on a potential SSS grade hero just because he got on his nerves.
After all, wasn’t Wazir a figure who deserved to be treated with respect, coddled?
“I consider this meeting fate, so I would like to at least treat you to a meal.”
“How do you plan on treating me in this rural village? Cut the crap and get out of my sight right now.”
“Your Highness, please don’t…”
Just then,
“Greetings. Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Camille appeared and bowed to Wazir.
“Hmm? Aren’t you Camille?”
Surprisingly, Wazir and Camille were familiar with each other’s faces.
Camille had been invited as a special lecturer to a knight academy in a foreign country, and had attended Wazir’s special lecture.
‘Oh, right. I forgot.’
Otto recalled that fact, and silently watched the conversation between the two.
“Why are you here in this rural village, Camille? This isn’t a place where exceptional talents like you should be staying, is it?”
“I’m just here to serve my lord.”
“Your lord…?”
“This person here is my lord.”
Camille pointed at Otto and answered Wazir’s question.
“That guy with the flashy face is your lord?”
“Yes, your highness.”
“Is he a noble?”
“His Majesty the King, your highness.”
“The king? This is a kingdom?”
“…Yes, it is.”
Camille turned his head slightly, as if feeling a bit embarrassed.
It was embarrassing to introduce this village-like neighborhood as a kingdom.
“This jittery guy with the flashy exterior is the king?”
“Yes, Your highness.”
“Since when?”
“Since yesterday, we held an official coronation ceremony and declared the establishment of the kingdom…”
“Hahaha!”
Wazir burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! This is hilarious! Hahaha! What a funny joke! Hahaha!”
“…….”
“It’s funny! Very funny! A tiny little village like this calling itself a kingdom! Hahaha!”
Camille lowered his head deeply at Wazir’s reaction and couldn’t say anything.
“Is it really true?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ve seen it all in my life. But a rural place like this calling itself a kingdom.”
“Things just turned out that way…”
“It’s a kingdom of fools, isn’t it? You can tell just by looking at that guy.”
Otto trembled with anger, but once again he held his tongue.
“Your Highness, since we’ve been fortunate enough to meet again, would you be willing to spend some time here and give me the honor of hosting you for dinner?”
“What use do you have for an old retiree’s time?”
“It’s just my desire to serve Your Highness and offer you dinner. Knight Camille begs humbly requests Your Highness’s favor.”
Camille knelt down on one knee before Wazir.
“Um! If you say so, there’s no reason why I can’t make time for you!”
“Thank you for your grace.”
“By the way, how have you been?”
“I have been living faithfully as a knight, fulfilling my duties every day. How about your Highness? Have you been well?”
“What could go wrong for an old man like me? Hahaha! Since I retired, I’ve been traveling around the continent, enjoying myself.”
Waizir and Camille walked with each other, exchanging various conversations in a cheerful atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Otto…
‘I’ll just let those two be!’
Jealous of Waizir and Camille, Otto strode forward with determination.
‘I’ll show you! You old man!’
Otto gritted his teeth as he looked at Wazir’s back.