STGB Chapter 719

Episode 719: Audience (2)

When people in this world deal with barbarians, they often say that it’s like talking to a wall.

I use that expression because even if I explain it calmly and logically, I still don’t understand it properly…

In my opinion, that expression suited this knight more than a barbarian.

It really feels like I’m talking to a wall.

“What is your name, knight? “I’ve never heard of anyone like you.”

“….”

“If I follow you, will I be able to meet the real King Gaebyeok?”

“….”

“I heard a rumor that he was lying down in pain? “Actually, it looks like you’re in good health?”

“….”

Damn, it’s hard to put weight behind an article.

When Raven asked me where I was going earlier, I answered honestly.

I asked Raven to talk to me to see if it was a female bird, but unfortunately the result was the same.

“I… this may be presumptuous, but is His Majesty really in good health…? ah! “I’m not saying this because I wanted you to feel bad, but I’m sorry.”

“….”

“Look. “Oh, that’s not possible… don’t make me do it anymore.”

From then on, the driver walked ahead without saying a word, and we quietly followed behind him.

Of course, he didn’t say anything, but his head was spinning noisily.

‘Seeing as there isn’t a single window, it looks like it’s underground.’

Since it is called the ‘throne room’, it is highly likely that the location is the ‘Immortal Palace’, which is said to be where the king resides among the 12 palaces.

Karnon, the center of the city.

The central castle of Karnon.

And among the 12 palaces in the royal castle, the Immortal Palace is located in the very center.

Oh, I heard it’s called Gaebyeok Palace now?

‘I didn’t know there was a place like this underground…’

While following the driver, he observed his surroundings closely.

He intended to memorize the route and explore an escape route just in case, but he had no particular results.

There was nothing to say.

plod trudge.

Just keep walking down the empty passage.

Of course, there were a few things I learned in the process.

‘It’s a spiral structure.’

I didn’t realize it at first, but we are not walking straight. The passage is slightly curved and, as a result, is circular.

To put it simply, it’s like going up a spiral staircase…

“If it’s this far away, wouldn’t it be better to just have an elevator? “I saw earlier that you use a good elevator.”

“….”

Second, there is no elevator here.

To put it simply, there is no other way than to blindly walk down this long passageway to get to the place where the elevator we left earlier is located.

Then why was it designed so inconveniently?

It’s not like the royal family is short of money.

No, it would have been much more economically beneficial to install one more elevator.

After thinking about it for a while, I came up with an answer.

‘…It’s for defensive purposes.’

Assuming someone from the outside breaks in, this long passage will definitely save time more than any other trap or obstacle.

Sometimes primitive methods are the safest.

“….”

As I walked down the passageway without any conversation for over three hours, the long, spiral passageway ended and a large cavity appeared.

“This is….”

Raven lifts his head, mesmerized.

The space itself was nothing special, but one structure at the center caught our attention.

examiner.

A transparent test tube very similar to the test tube seen in the ‘Pantelion Laboratory’ on the first basement floor is located in the center of the cavity.

There was only one difference from the lab one.

Its size is so overwhelming that it cannot be compared to that of any monarch.

Other than that, it was mostly similar to what I saw in the lab.

Hundreds of wires are connected to the bottom of the test tube, and the inside of the test tube is filled with a mysterious liquid.

“Follow me.”

As I was looking up blankly, the driver guiding us spoke for the first time in a long time.

“Your Majesty is waiting.”

Although the words are harsh, they ultimately convey the meaning of not being interested in useless things.

Therefore, skip the meaningless question of what this is.

Ding-!

Soon, as we followed the driver, an elevator appeared on the wall on the other side of the joint, and we rode it up.

and….

Ding-!

When the sound was heard again and the elevator door opened.

I finally realized that I had arrived.

“…a lowly servant meets the master of a new age.”

The very ‘throne room’ that I could not reach even after thousands of attempts.

***

A throne located in a stepped area.

Looking at that throne gives me a really strange feeling.

“….”

A throne that has always been empty even though it participates in numerous official events such as title conferral ceremonies and victory ceremonies.

The very throne that even the prime minister, who was called the second-in-command of the kingdom and looked after state affairs on behalf of the king, did not even dare to sit on.

For the first time, someone is sitting on that throne.

Is that why?

Exciting-!

The moment you see that, the heart of a warrior who has gone through many hardships is tightened with tension.

Well, it’s nothing compared to the Raven next to me.

“Gu, gu, gu, gu….”

“….”

“I meet your Majesty the King…! A lowly servant… Ah, no, a lowly servant, I see your Majesty the King…!”

As soon as Raven confirmed that ‘someone’ was sitting on the throne, she fell flat on the carpeted floor.

Even though its belly was facing toward the ground, it was no different from a dog lying down with its belly showing.

I have no intention of rebelling against you and I submit.

A gesture that expresses this short sentence more clearly than anything else.

“Hey Mr. Yandel…! what are you doing…!”

Seeing me sitting still, Raven puts her forehead on the floor and urges me with a small cry.

And only then did I realize my ‘rudeness’.

Well, since I started as a barbarian, I haven’t experienced anything like that…

Sigh.

There is only one reason why Barbarians are nobles and are forgiven even if they speak informally and do not follow formalities.

In the past, my ancestors made great contributions and received permission.

To the king sitting on the throne.

“Oh come on!”

It goes without saying, but if you speak informally to the king, even the barbarian will be offended.

thus….

“…A lowly servant meets Your Majesty the King.”

I kneel down and bow my head in a ceremony that I have not performed before, but have seen with my own eyes countless times.

That’s because I am a noble by title.

There is no need to lie flat like Raven…

Thanks to this, the viewing angle was high, so I was able to explore the inner structure of the throne room, even through the corner of my eye.

A thick silk cloth falls around the throne, covering the king’s face.

There are no windows, perhaps out of concern for assassination or outside observation, and there is only one entrance and exit, other than the elevator we took.

For reference, there are two knights standing in front of it.

Unlike the unknown knight who guided us here, it was not difficult to tell which knight he belonged to through the patterns on his armor.

‘Guardian Knights.’

An elite group of armed forces that can only be seen inside the Immortal Palace, with each individual possessing the combat power of at least a level 3 monster.

Is it because the crowded throne is so unrealistic?

It wasn’t until I saw the Guardian Knights that I really felt it.

‘Yes, you really came to the Immortal Palace….’

The first thing I did when I realized this was just one thing.

Forced escape and all armed conflict plans are reduced to the lowest priority.

If this is really inside the ‘Immortal Palace’, the use of ‘force’ should really be saved until the end.

That’s right, I’ve been to the Immortal Palace quite a few times while playing [Dungeons & Stones].

99% of that experience was while taking the rebellion route…

‘But in the end, I never saw the king’s face…’

Aside from the crazy specs of the Guardian Knights, this Immortal Palace has all kinds of gimmicks to deal with external enemies, and when they are activated in earnest, it is simply game over.

This is the Immortal Palace where I was unable to avoid annihilation even though I led numerous colleagues with better specs than now in the game.

In some ways, this place is more difficult than the 10th floor.

Especially since I couldn’t clear it no matter what I did.

Of course, since there is a king right in front of us, if we take him hostage, we may somehow find a way out…

A word left by the former tribal leader flashes through my mind.

[Is there anyone in this world who would not be afraid of him? If the day comes when you meet him, you will understand me.]

As expected, it would not be easy to take the king hostage. That’s because the knight who guided us was suddenly standing in front of the king as if he was guarding him.

“Say it.”

At that time, the king’s voice was heard, ending the long silence.

It was a slightly unexpected voice.

[…I don’t remember. Whether it was a certain age, a woman or a man, even that voice that pierced my ear…]

The former tribal leader must have said that.

“How were you able to enter this forbidden place?”

What was heard was the distinct voice of a ‘young man.’

It didn’t feel old at all, and it didn’t sound painful or weak.

“Tell me one by one, my servants.”

A dominant voice that prevents any thoughts other than submission from entering your mind.

Raven quickly responded.

“We had no idea it was a forbidden beach and we did not enter there with any deliberate intention. “The story of how we ended up there…”

Raven’s explanation was long and verbose, but it got one point right.

As soon as they realized that the Hwangdo was under attack, they headed to the 5th underground floor to catch the ruthless Noark guys. They ran away and were swept away by the collapse, ending up in ‘Beecher’.

All of the explanations included an excessive amount of explanation as to how much we tried to fulfill our duties as subjects.

Well, it was pointless in my opinion.

“….”

An uncomfortable silence formed after Raven finished her explanation.

It was after some time that King Gaebyeok’s voice continued again.

“My servant, Baron Bjorn Yandel.”

…He’s a baron, not a baronet, but he didn’t bother to correct himself and just listened in silence.

That’s right, I’m a barbarian who can understand the atmosphere to that extent….

“As your king, I command you.”

…huh?

“Kill the woman next to you.”

…what?

***

A sudden order from the king.

Of course, I had no reason to follow that order.

Even though I know that the author is fully capable of taking away every position I have held, everything I have achieved in this world, and all the colleagues I wanted to protect.

“….”

Could that be possible?

I just looked around, not knowing what to do.

But was that enough for the king?

“Bring out the bitch.”

As soon as those words were uttered, the Guardian Knights at the entrance approached us.

As I reflexively stood up, the knight standing in front of the king gave a brief warning.

“Stay still. “His Majesty only wishes to meet you alone.”

When he glanced at Raven at those words, Raven nodded her head like crazy.

An expression of intent that contains a desperate plea to not cause an accident because you are fine.

“….”

In the end, after remaining still in an awkward posture, two knights led Raven out of the audience room, and this finally allowed them to have a private meeting with the king.

Oh, of course there is that escort knight, but…

Because he’s like a wall anyway.

At that rate, it would be safe to consider it as just a private seat.

My heart is pounding, my heart is pounding.

The king didn’t say anything and just looked at me through the cloth, but the feeling that something was wrong took over his whole body.

‘…Ha should I just pretend to follow orders? Now that I think about it, I feel like I was testing it somehow.’

At that time, my mind was filled with such belated regrets.

“Haha, don’t be so scared.”

As the king continued speaking, I felt dizzy.

“You were chosen by her, right? “I know she’ll be angry if I kill you, so how could I do that?”

Unlike before, the way he spoke sounded much more comfortable.

There are also meaningful words like ‘she’ or her ‘her choice’.