“We need to level up faster, or we’ll be left behind and that would be embarrassing,” Ben said with a sigh while grinding monsters underground in Celestial Pool Mountain.
Ada nodded in agreement. With Luca’s equipment and their own decent skills, their leveling speed was much faster than most players. However, even so, they were already struggling to keep up with Luca. If they relaxed even slightly, they’d probably be left far behind in no time.
After a brief moment of thought, Ada said, “Let’s skip Dawn City and head directly to Haillan County.”
Luca wouldn’t stay in Dawn City for long, so instead of wasting time going there and possibly missing him, they might as well go straight to Haillan County and wait for him. Otherwise, by the time they reached Dawn City, Luca might have already moved on.
Ben had no objections and immediately sped up his grinding.
Meanwhile, in the council hall.
Alfred wore a genuine smile on his face and said, “If you’re thinking like this, I can rest easy. If you have any other requests, feel free to ask, and I’ll do my best to fulfill them.”
He had high hopes for Luca, the newcomer. Born from humble beginnings, Luca was somewhat tied to a few nobles, but he didn’t carry the typical marks of any noble faction.
If possible, Alfred wanted to nurture Luca. He could be a valuable asset for the future of the Clinton Empire.
Even Lucia and Luna couldn’t help but glance at Luca, their gazes somewhat peculiar.
Although Luca was a noble of merit, wasn’t the king’s attitude toward him just a bit too favorable?
Luca, too, was somewhat puzzled by the attention, but with such a great opportunity before him, he certainly wasn’t going to pass it up. He spoke up without hesitation, “Your Majesty, I do have one request.”
“Oh? What is it?” Alfred was somewhat surprised.
He had casually offered the opportunity, and yet this young man was bold enough to take him up on it? But it suited him just fine.
The other nobles couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths. This young man really had no shame! They were witnessing the true meaning of “pushing your luck” today.
Luca, however, was completely unaware of the disapproval. With a cheerful smile, he continued, “I have some questions, and I believe the Royal Library might have the answers. I was wondering if Your Majesty might allow me to visit?”
Whether it was the secrets surrounding Sophia and Pandora, the Solar Divine Spear, or the whereabouts of the Zenith, these were not things that ordinary people could access.
The Royal Library was the most likely place where Luca could find answers. Such a golden opportunity couldn’t be ignored.
“The Royal Library, you say?” Alfred pondered briefly, then nodded. “After the meeting, I’ll have someone take you there.”
Although the Royal Library contained many secrets unknown to outsiders, these were things that had been sealed away for many years, and their authenticity could no longer be verified.
Moreover, the so-called “secrets” were only significant to ordinary people. With Luca’s status, even without visiting the library, there were other ways he could uncover these mysteries. Given this, it would be better to grant him this favor.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Luca was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly things had gone. He quickly expressed his gratitude.
“Such a small matter is nothing to mention.” Alfred smiled, dismissing the gesture as insignificant.
He then turned his gaze to the nobles gathered in the hall and asked, “If anyone else has something to discuss, now is the time to speak.”
“If not, we can adjourn the meeting. I am feeling a bit tired.”
Alfred’s words were sincere. Given his current physical state, after just a short time, he was already feeling overwhelmingly fatigued. His old injuries were also starting to ache again.
Yurian, standing by, couldn’t hide his concern.
The king’s condition was getting worse.
Everyone present could see that the king was not in good shape, but no one dared to speak up about it.
Instead, the meeting was quietly brought to a close.
The nobles filed out of the council hall.
A group of guards soon entered and delivered the rewards granted by the king to Luca.
[Ding! Congratulations, player “Luca,” for receiving Alfred’s reward: Cold Sky Waters (Superclass), Fate-Substitute Scarecrow (Superclass), Divine Ruins Key (Secret Realm), 2,000,000 Gold…]
[Cold Sky Waters: Superclass Material, a rare item taken from the Nine Heavens Cold Mountains in the Northern Territory. When used by players, it increases water affinity by 25% and grants 1,000 Spirit points. There is a 50% chance of gaining the Superclass Transmutation Skill “Nine Heavens Cold Water,” and it can also be used to craft potions or equipment.]
[Fate-Substitute Scarecrow: Superclass Item. It can block one fatal attack for the player and teleport them 1,000 meters away. Cooldown time: 7 days.]
[Divine Ruins Key: Secret Realm Item. When used, it grants access to the Legendary Secret Realm “Divine Ruins.” Upon clearing it, players may obtain special legacies or rewards. Each player may only use it once.]
…
As Luca gazed at the radiant Transcendent items and the gold coins, his breath hitched for a moment. Although he had expected Alfred to be generous, the rewards still took him by surprise.
Whether it was the “Cold Sky Waters” or the “Fate-Substitute Scarecrow,” both were undeniably rare and valuable Transcendent items. These kinds of items were extremely difficult to obtain, even with money. As for the “Divine Ruins Key,” not only was it something money couldn’t buy, but Luca had been wondering how he could get his hands on one before, and now, Alfred had handed him a key directly.
Luca had heard of this secret realm in his previous life. The first player to enter the Divine Ruins Secret Realm later became one of the most powerful Transcendent beings.
If he could acquire anything from there, his strength would undoubtedly see a huge boost. Sophia was a prime example.
She was the first person to complete the Divine Ruins Secret Realm. In such a short period of time, her strength had grown several times over.
Although Luca didn’t know exactly what Sophia had gained there, he suspected that the reason she was able to break through to the Transcendent realm and ascend to the Divine Tier was due to some great opportunity she had obtained within that very secret realm.
If he could complete it too, perhaps he would gain something similar.
With that thought, Luca couldn’t help but smile to himself.
“Typical of a country bumpkin, really has never seen the world,” came the mocking tone. At that moment, a sharp voice suddenly broke the silence, making Luca and the others frown involuntarily. Without even having to look, they knew exactly who the speaker was.
“Lord Finn, although your Phillips family is wealthy, there’s no need to flaunt it so openly,” Lucia said, her eyes narrowing with cold fury as she looked at Finn, rarely feeling such intense dislike for someone.
Finn, however, was unbothered and laughed lightly. “Lucia, you’re overthinking things. I’m just speaking the truth.”
Fratis furrowed her brows, about to speak up for Luca.
When Prince Runne, the second prince, walked over and calmly added, “Finn is right. Just a few materials, and you’re already so openly delighted? I think, Lucia, you should really teach your student a lesson in humility and let him see the world.”
The nobles supporting the second prince also joined in, mocking Luca.
Previously, they didn’t have much ill will toward Luca, mainly because they had wanted to win Finn’s favor. But now that Luca had become the lord of Hailan County, things had changed.
Since the previous lord of Hailan County had been sent to the Imperial dungeon, the noble factions had been able to extract significant benefits from Hailan County each year. Even the Northern Duke, Mond Stein, had moved his fishing trade operations there.
Now that Alfred had ousted them and handed Hailan County over to Luca, it was only natural for the second prince’s faction to have their objections.
Despite the mockery, Luca remained unfazed.
He simply replied, “A bunch of idiots.”
This comment left everyone in the room momentarily stunned.
“You… You filthy Demonic Rune Mage! How dare you insult us?!” After a brief pause, the nobles’ faces turned bright red with anger.
They spent all their time in Dawn City, surrounded by wealthy merchants and nobles, so they had never encountered someone who spoke so freely and insulted others so openly.
Instantly, the crowd began to berate Luca, as if he had committed some unforgivable crime.
Realizing that Luca had angered everyone, Finn was pleased and immediately seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. “Luca! This is the royal palace, not a place for you to run wild. Apologize to me and all the noble lords right now, or don’t blame us for reporting you to His Majesty!”
“Apologize? A fool like you thinks I should apologize?” Luca chuckled and added, “I insulted you, so what? You’re just a stupid idiot.”
Finn’s smug expression immediately froze. The nobles around them were shocked, staring at Luca in disbelief.
Holy crap, this young man has some nerve!
He actually dared to insult Finn, and right in front of Duke Lyon, no less. How is he so bold?
A few of the dukes, still standing nearby, exchanged looks with one another, their expressions suddenly growing more complicated. They had just gained a whole new understanding of Luca.
Fratis and Lucia both couldn’t hold back their laughter. This guy was truly something else.
“You’re asking for death!” Finn’s face turned red with anger, his blood boiling. To be humiliated in front of his father, fiancée, and so many nobles was like a slap in the face.
Grinding his teeth, Finn raised his hand, ready to teach the insolent fool a lesson.
But just as he was about to strike, a cold snort interrupted the tension.
“Take your grievances outside,” a voice said icily. “No fighting in the royal palace! Those who disobey will die.”
The words fell like a thunderclap, and in an instant, a powerful aura swept across the room!
Even the dukes and the Superclass experts present couldn’t help but change their expressions.
What is this…?
Everyone turned to look toward the source of the voice, and they saw a middle-aged knight in black and gold armor slowly approaching. His gaze was cold as ice, and he held a long sword in his hand. The terrifying aura around him felt like a tidal wave, shaking everyone to their core.
“The Empire’s God of War, Winston Morrison? When did he return?!” someone gasped.
“The Empire’s God of War… the peak of Superclass…” Luca inwardly clicked his tongue in awe, but it didn’t surprise him too much.
As one of the strongest nations on the Eternal Continent, it would have been more shocking if the Clinton Empire’s royal palace didn’t have such a powerhouse in its ranks.