Chapter 7

Helian was holding his head in his office.

He couldn't help but feel that the reaction of the legion commanders during the audience just now was less than ideal.

He had tried to act in a manner befitting a king, but it seemed he had already made a blunder.

Even though he tried to follow up, it felt like it had fallen flat.

Politicians on TV have sometimes lost their positions due to a single slip of the tongue.

Even if they were the prime minister of a country, in certain situations, a single mistake could cost them their seat. Helian, sitting on the throne, couldn't be sure what might cause him to lose his position.

And if he were to be dethroned and treated as just another person, his life would be in immediate danger.

Players who are not kings are just ordinary people, and even goblins could easily kill them. That's why Helian had to do everything in his power to avoid being dethroned.

He had already made a blunder. There was nothing he could do about that. As the saying goes, spilled water cannot be put back into the bowl.

So, what he needed to think about now was how to follow up on the mistake he had made and how to make amends.

"…If possible, I want to maintain the image of a kind king."

He had always tried to be a benevolent ruler.

In terms of national strategy, he had paid considerable attention to public safety and had not initiated wars of aggression against other countries, except for one instance.

He had basically bought wars that were sold to him, annexed other countries, and walked the path to becoming a great nation. He had never acted as a cruel and ruthless tyrant.

So, how could he maintain that image?

For example, how should he behave as a king when sending subordinates to unexplored areas where dangers are unknown?

"Sending a small group to a dangerous area and not even showing up to see them off is not right…"

The investigation was absolutely necessary. He didn't think his order was wrong. However, not even showing up to see off the subordinates who were heading into a dangerous area was not the right action for a king.

Thinking this way after giving the order might be hypocritical, but throughout his reign, Helian had never chosen to silently send his subordinates to their deaths.

"Let's start with what we can do… I'll think about specific follow-up actions after seeing them off."

This was also an important part of his duties as a king.

Moreover, if he showed up to see them off, it might boost their morale.

If that happened, it would be a good deal. In exchange for the short time it would take to see them off, he could increase the likelihood that they would return with better results.

"Once the decision is made, it's time to act.

Move your limbs, go to the scene, and see it with your own eyes and ears."

He mimicked the catchphrase of his former professor, who had been in charge of his seminar.

According to the professor, this was an essential action for someone in a leadership position. The professor was long-winded and loved to talk, but Helian was glad he hadn't tuned him out. In life, you never know what might come in handy.

…He had never expected to be in the position of the supreme ruler at an age under twenty.

In any case, he headed out of the castle gate and toward the outer wall's main gate.

The escort along the way was handled by the Royal Guard, who belonged to the First Legion.

During the journey, he realized that if the Royal Guard betrayed him, he could be easily killed. But in fact, most of the citizens of this country had the combat ability to kill Helian.

So, he decided not to be overly anxious. If he had the resolve, he could usually manage most situations. Some might call it a reckless attitude.

He arrived at the northeast outer wall's main gate without incident.

The surface of the main gate, protected by array magic, was engraved with geometric patterns, and light occasionally pulsed along the patterns. This was evidence that the large-scale barrier magic surrounding the capital was still active. There was no particular problem with this.

The problem was the scene in the square in front of the main gate.

"…What is this?"

Soldiers were gathered in the square.

If that was all, it would be fine. It could be interpreted as reinforcing the security of the outer gates for the sake of public safety.

But they were adorned in equipment that prioritized appearance over practicality.

And they were lined up in two rows, stretching about 300 meters from the square to the main gate.

They stood facing each other, and to leave the city, one would have to walk between them.

No matter how you looked at it, this was a ceremonial guard to see them off.

"…What are they doing? They should be focusing their efforts on maintaining security in various areas… I would even want to send out the Second Legion commander if I could."

Helian muttered to himself, making sure the Royal Guard beside him couldn't hear.

It was too much, even if two legion commanders were going out. This was not something that should be done in an emergency.

Moreover, the expressions on the faces of the ceremonial guards were troubling.

There was a great deal of pride, but a hint of solemnity could be seen. It was as if they were sending a noble to certain death. It was a bad omen.

"Lord Helian"

"Your Majesty"

Approaching Helian and addressing him were Reive of the [Moon Wolf] and Ertina of the [Ancient Elf], both of whom had been selected for the investigation team. They were both dressed in practical equipment.

Their attendants, who had been standing by, slowly surrounded Helian, holding up fine white cloth to shield him from the surrounding gazes.

"Lord Helian, I will take your coat."

Reive said a word of thanks and carefully removed Helian's coat.

One of the attendants who had run over knelt beside him and respectfully received the coat with both hands. Then, another attendant placed it in a black velvet case with the care of handling a fragile item.

"……Huh?"

Helian couldn't help but let out a sound.

Why had his coat been taken off?

The smooth movements left no time to question it, but that coat was a king's exclusive equipment, embroidered with the country's emblem on the back, and a coat that proved he was the king.

The fact that it had been respectfully removed and taken away was significant, but what did it mean?

"Excuse me, Your Majesty."

Ertina bowed deeply, then moved behind the frozen Helian and helped him into a new coat. It was a sturdy coat that balanced practicality and elegance.

In quick succession, light gauntlets made of a lightweight material were attached to various parts of his body, and his shoes were replaced with greaves made of synthetic dragon scales.

Then, the cloth held by the attendants was folded up, and the center was once again exposed to the surrounding gazes. There stood Helian, dressed in expeditionary equipment.

The attendants, having completed their perfect job, quietly withdrew, leaving only the three of them, dressed for the expedition.

(…Wait a moment.)

Helian was sweating profusely inside.

It didn't seem to be a declaration of rebellion, but why had his usual coat been taken off?

Why had he been dressed in expeditionary equipment?

And why were Reive and Ertina standing slightly behind him on either side, as if placing him at the forefront?

"Lord Helian, I will protect you with my life. No matter what lies ahead, I will ensure your safety."

"Though I am but a humble servant, I will do my utmost for Your Majesty and the country. I will carry out my duties with resolve on this journey."

The former was Reive, and the latter was Ertina.

Faced with their resolute declarations, Helian was completely frozen.

"……"

What, what is this?

How did it come to this?

Someone, please tell me this is a joke.

Because I seriously don't understand.

This was like a situation where the king himself was going out to conduct an investigation abroad.

Helian hurriedly recalled the orders he had given just now, but he had no memory of making a bold and crazy statement like "I will go out to conduct an investigation abroad myself."

(…No, wait.)

He recalled his exact words.

He remembered confirming whether they remembered the early exploration of uncharted areas when they first played the game, and receiving a "Yes" response from the "Three Beings."

Then, he had removed Balan from the security detail and instructed the remaining Reive and Ertina to go on the investigation.

At that time, in an attempt to reassure them, he had said something like…

"Don't worry too much. Think of it as similar to the early exploration. Remember those days. The only difference is that Balan isn't here."

Similar to the early exploration.

The only difference is that Balan isn't here.

Balan isn't here.

Balan isn't here.

Balan isn't here.

In other words—

—Could it be that Helian, who had conducted the early exploration with the three beings, was also included in the investigation team this time?

"……"

He turned his head with a creak, like a rusty tin doll.

On either side behind him stood Reive and Ertina, their expressions set with resolve.

And further behind them were the black-clad, faceless stealth soldiers, presumably chosen by the Sixth Legion commander.

He turned back to face the front.

In the center of his vision was the main gate leading to the forest outside, with the ceremonial guards lined up on either side.

He looked at his own attire.

He was not wearing the ornate red and black coat but a sturdy, plain-colored expeditionary outfit.

"From this moment on, the expedition team, led by His Majesty the King, will set out!

Ceremonial guards, raise—your—swords!!"

With the cry of the lion-headed ceremonial guard—strangely, Balan was there—all the ceremonial guards moved in unison, like a disciplined army in a dictatorship. Their golden ceremonial swords were raised high into the sky.

There was a solemn grandeur, like a medieval painting.

…There was no atmosphere that allowed for escape.

Desperately seeking help, Helian looked at Reive with a glimmer of hope.

There stood a royal attendant with a stern face but sparkling eyes, as if thinking, "The king leading the way to overcome this hardship. Truly, Lord Helian is remarkable."

How happy he would be if he could tell her it was a misunderstanding.

"Hmm—It's been a while since we've conducted an investigation of uncharted areas. It brings back memories of those days."

Ah.

And yet, he hated his mouth for spouting such composed words, succumbing to the atmosphere of the moment…

"Shall we go forth? Reive, Ertina."

Accompanied by the two legion commanders and five stealth soldiers, the king of Alkymaira headed toward the main gate.

Everyone present watched the king's departure with proud faces.

And as he marched forward with a dignified air, as if everything was going according to plan, Helian screamed inside with all his might.

(Why! What did I do wrong!? Leading the way in a forced reconnaissance is clearly insane! Someone, stop me! How did it come to this!?)

—And so, the brave king Helian of Alkymaira.

With a mere seven-member investigation team, he took his first step into the unknown dangers beyond the borders.