NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25-2
On that evening, Otto enjoyed dinner with Wazir, Spooner, Camille, and Olive.
“Huh? Olive, the Imperial head maid? What brings you here?”
“Greetings. Your Highness, Grand Duke Wazir.
Wazir, who had a broad presence in the international community, recognized Olive at a glance and greeted her with familiarity.
“I have ended up here by chance.”
“Haha~ What happened?”
“I just beat them up and left.”
“Did you give the Emperor’s men a hard time?”
“If words won’t work, there’s no choice but to use my fists.”
“Hehe. I understand. Well, with your temperament, I’m sure you endured for a long time.”
It seemed that Olive’s personality was also very famous in the Arad Empire.
“What about you, Spooner? What brings you here?”
Wazir also recognized Spooner, the Arad Empire’s war hero.
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s because of that…”
Spooner briefly explained the strange story he had experienced to Wazir’s question.
“Tsk tsk. That’s too bad.”
“I feel ashamed.”
“You have no reason to be ashamed. It should be the Arad Empire’s people who feel ashamed. Tsk tsk tsk. Even if you were under their control, you held out strongly.”
Thus, the evening dinner began.
“Your eating habits aren’t very good. Eat more vegetables. Otherwise, you may suffer from cardiovascular disease or diabetes.”
“…Yes.”
Otto quietly ate more vegetables, as he felt Olive’s fist might come flying if he complained.
“Um…but…?”
Otto cautiously spoke to Olive.
“I am the king, and you are a maid. Could you not speak informally to me?”
“I do not listen to the words of those weaker than myself.”
“Uh…?”
“If you feel wronged, become stronger than me.”
Olive cut in and said, “And who has a higher rank than here? I was a head maid of the Arad Empire. Who could have a higher rank?”
“Well, um…you are head maid. Hehe…hehehe,” was the hesitant reply.
It was true. The head maid of the Arad Empire held a higher rank than the king of the poorest and smallest country on the continent.
The same was true for Wazir.
“From now on, there’ll be no picky eating! *Fist Smashing*!”
It was only natural that Wazir, who held the rank of grand duke and was respected by the lords and intellectuals of the continent, would speak informally to Otto.
‘Oh, well. I can’t do anything about it now. I’ll just have to endure it.’
Otto decided to put up with the disrespect and belittlement for the time being.
It was too much to expect respect from those around him just because he was the king of a small and weak country.
‘Don’t worry about it too much. I’ll be acknowledged eventually if I prove my ability, right?’
If he proved his ability, authority would naturally follow.
“Then Camille. Will you be staying in this rural area forever?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Camille replied to Wazir’s question.
“Haa. That’s a shame. It’s waste for talented people like you rot in such a rural village.. Why don’t you come play in the big city? I’ll write a letter of recommendation for you.”
Wazir’s recommendation was like a job pass that worked in any country on the continent. It was a privilege that anyone who wanted to succeed dreamt of.
“I have pledged loyalty to my lord. I appreciate your consideration, Your Highness, but I will only accept your kindness.”
“Hmm.”
Wazir chuckled as if he was frustrated.
“You’re such a troublesome fellow. Your talents are wasted, aren’t they? There’s no future for you here.”
“I see a future here.”
“Hmm?”
“My past and present exist in this land, and so does the future.”
“What does that mean? You can’t possibly….”
Wazir turned his gaze to Otto.
“Are you saying that this brat is competent enough to be entrusted with your future?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“On what grounds?”
“You’ll find out once you speak to him.”
Camille smiled.
***
‘Good job and Thank you. Camille.’
Otto sent Camille a small wink.
He was grateful that Camille had given him a hand, allowing him to strike up a conversation with Wazir.
“Oh?”
Wazir finally showed some curiosity and looked at Otto.
“Do you think you have what it takes to put that Camille under your command?”
“Before that.”
Otto smirked.
“Shouldn’t it be whether Camille has the ability to serve me?”
“What?”
“I have more than enough ability to keep Camille under my command.”
“Someone like you?”
“Not just someone like me.”
Otto shrugged his shoulders.
“I will unify the continent and become an emperor. That’s who I am.”
“An emperor? This country bumpkin like you becoming an emperor? Ha! Seems like you have some mental issues.”
“I am perfectly fine.”
“Someone who says something so absurd is perfectly fine?”
“It’s not that absurd.”
“On what grounds?”
Wazir snickered.
“If you say that, do you think someone will hand over the continent to you?”
“A chaotic world gives birth to many heroes. Along with them, leaders who can lead those heroes are also created. Also, it is a once-in-a-hundred-years opportunity.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Exactly what I said. It’s a chaotic world. Even if all I have is a sword and a pair of testicles, if I have strength and ability, even a small vrural illage king like me can unify the continent and become an emperor.”
“It’s not wrong, but… are you saying that the world is currently chaotic?”
“It will soon become chaotic. Because… Ragnasis is about to begin.”
From Otto’s mouth came a statement that no one could have expected at this time.
Ragnasis.
A proper noun used in the world of the game ‘Territory War’.
And its meaning… World War!
It meant a time of great chaos where the whole continent would be caught up in the turmoil of war.