Chapter 48: Evergran’s Friend

‘Whew, even a young king is still a king.’

The criminals didn’t even make it to the execution grounds.

The Red Lions, as if for show, drew their swords and slaughtered the prisoners right before the queen’s eyes.

While the criminals were being cut down, Evergran did not move from his seat.

It was only after the last prisoner’s breath had stopped that Evergran met the queen’s gaze and, with a cold smile, displayed his victory ceremony.

“Sir Levan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now that things have wrapped up, shall we have some tea?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Watching people be killed was hardly pleasant, but given the circumstances, there could hardly be a more satisfying moment.

On his way to the king, Levan accidentally met eyes with Ratel, who was being dragged away in ropes.

So, just as Evergran had done, he flashed a chilling grin at him before hurrying to the king’s side.

After moving to another location, Evergran stretched out on a soft sofa and closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Levan asked with a satisfied smile,

“Are you feeling a bit better now?”

“Better? I’ve never felt so relieved in my life.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Your Majesty.”

“Heh, as for my promise to Sir Mongoose, you need not worry. On my name and the honor of the royal family, I’ll see Sir Mongoose’s request through to the end.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With those words, Evergran fell silent for a while.

No doubt a mix of emotions was coursing through him.

Finally, emerging from the lingering aftermath, the king spoke again in a much gentler voice.

“Sir Levan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you. Truly.”

“You praise me too highly.”

“Not at all. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve lived out my days as a powerless king, drowning in regret. So you’re not just my personal benefactor, you’re a hero who saved the entire royal family.”



[Evergran Finriver’s favorability toward you has greatly increased.]

[Evergran Finriver’s favorability toward you has reached its maximum value.]

[Evergran Finriver now fully trusts you.]

[‘Quest: Be Recognized by the King of Pasna’ has been completed.]

[Quest rewards will be given.]

[You have gained experience points.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]



“…!”

The king’s heartfelt gratitude.

It was as good as a formal recognition of Levan.

Thanks to that, Levan was able to complete the growth quest and raise his level by five as a reward.

‘Wow, not just one or two, but a full five levels… This quest was definitely worth it.’

He tried to look calm, but in truth, he was shocked.

After all, no matter how hard the quests had been until now, Levan had never gained so many levels at once.

Even before he could fully process his astonishment, the king’s favor continued.

“Now then, Sir Levan. I’ve been thinking, and a mere honorary countship seems too petty a title for a benefactor like you. I’ve decided to grant you a new title. Will you accept it?”

‘As expected.’

At the words ‘new title,’ Levan couldn’t help but grin.

Of course. After helping restore the king’s authority, if the king had simply brushed it off, he’d hardly deserve the title of king.

So, instead of false modesty, Levan decided to accept the offer gladly.

“Whatever you grant me, I will receive it with gratitude.”

“I’m glad to hear you say so. You are the irreplaceable benefactor of our Finriver royal family. Unless something extraordinary happens, I wish to remain your friend for life. In my heart, I’d like to celebrate you as the hero who saved the kingdom, but in the end, this was a political affair within the palace. So rather than a hero, I’d prefer to be friends without formality. Levan, will you become my one and only friend?”

Levan was looking forward to what kind of title the king would grant him.

But what the king proposed was not a title, but friendship.

Caught off guard, Levan couldn’t immediately process the offer.

‘Is that… a good thing?’

He couldn’t quite tell. But he couldn’t refuse, so he simply agreed.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”



[You have acquired the achievement, ‘Evergran’s Friend’.]

[You have obtained the Finriver Medal.]



As soon as he accepted, notifications popped up announcing the new achievement and medal.

The king continued,

“Haha, friends don’t use stiff titles like ‘Your Majesty.’ Just call me Ever.”

“Pardon? But that’s…”

“It’s fine. I gave you permission, didn’t I? So I’ll also call you simply Levan, not Sir Levan. How about it, Levan? Try calling me that.”

“Uh, s-sure? Ever?”

“Heh, I can’t remember the last time someone called me by name… It’s a bit strange, but it sounds nice.”

“I-Is that so?”

Evergran had given his permission, but saying it directly was still awkward.

Still, it was only difficult at first; after saying it a few times, Levan quickly got used to it.

‘Yeah, why not. He’s just a game character anyway, no need to get nervous.’

Besides, this would make for great streaming content later.

With a chuckle, Levan said,

“So, Ever. What now? I think I’ve helped you with just about everything I can.”

“The dam’s been opened—now I just need to ride the current. Thanks to you, things will go smoothly. Of course, it’ll take time to fully recover the royal authority, but compared to the past, when I could do nothing, this is huge progress.”

Maybe it was because they were officially friends now?

As Evergran conversed with Levan, he no longer used the stiff, old-fashioned speech typical of kings, but rather a tone more suited to his age.

For some reason, it was a nice change to see.

Evergran continued,

“Hem hem, but if I just settle for giving my kingdom’s savior some friendship and a medal, I’d lose face as a king, wouldn’t I?”

“Hem hem, so is there something else?”

Evergran brought up the topic of rewards first.

If royal friendship had been all there was, Levan would’ve been truly disappointed.

Barely suppressing a wide grin, Levan waited for Evergran’s next words.

“I gave it a lot of thought. What would be the perfect gift for my one and only friend? I made a big decision, so check it out later when you’re alone.”



[You have obtained Evergran’s Gift Box.]



Just what kind of present was it that he wanted Levan to open it in private? The anticipation only grew.

Levan accepted the gift box and put it in his inventory.

“Well, I’m sure you gave me something befitting a king’s dignity. Thanks. Whatever it is, I’ll cherish it.”

“No, I’m the one who should be grateful. My struggle is just beginning, but for your sake, I won’t lose. Watch me—I’ll restore our kingdom to its former golden age of prosperity, no matter what they call us now.”

“That’s the spirit. I’ll be waiting.”

Levan, as a friend, gave the young king a reassuring pat on the shoulder at his bold declaration.

And with a final farewell, exchanging a fist bump, Levan finally felt the reality sink in: all quests related to Pasna were cleared.

‘It’s finally over…!’

Everything had worked out so well that he felt a deep sense of relief.

Now, all that was left for Levan was to check the rewards he hadn’t examined yet.

Levan walked slowly out of the palace and brought up his status window.

“Status window, open.”

Fwoosh!



[Levan]

-Level: 53

-Divine Throne: Rubiks

-Class: Warmage

-Affiliation: #Herum #Freedom

-Stats

Strength 143 (+5)

Perception 19 (+5)

Intellect 37 (+20)

Dexterity 14

-Special

Movement Speed +10% in combat

Movement Speed +5% out of combat

Skill cooldown -20%

-Remaining Stat Points: 0



“Wow.”

First impression?

‘This is crazy. Already level 53? Is this for real?’

He was amazed at his own leveling speed.

After all, he’d come to Pasna aiming for efficient leveling, but most of the experience he gained was from quests, not hunting.

Levan had come to a realization.

‘From now on, I’m never going to talk about ‘holding off on quests’ ever again.’

He realized just how foolish he’d been, trying to delay quests in the past when he knew nothing.

Levan resolved never to repeat such stupidity.

He then checked his achievements.



[Evergran’s Friend]

-Condition: Only a true friend personally recognized by Evergran can obtain this.

-Option: When equipped with the Finriver Medal, you can exercise the rights of #Evergran’s Friend.



‘Rights?’

Again, it was rights.

Now that he had become Evergran’s friend, the honorary countship had vanished from his titles.

Also, it seemed the rights could only be exercised while wearing the Finriver Medal.

Levan took out the medal and checked its details.



[Finriver Medal]

-Rank: Unique, Exclusive, Bound.

-Condition: Only for Evergran’s friends.

-Option: Allows use of rights as #Evergran’s Friend.



A unique item, no less.

Since it was bound, it couldn’t be traded, but since you couldn’t use it without the achievement anyway, Levan felt no need to trade it.

He checked the common description tag on both the achievement and the medal.



[#Evergran’s Friend]

#The friendship officially recognized by Evergran Finriver, King of Pasna.

#As Evergran’s Friend, you have more authority than a grand duke of Pasna, unofficially.

#As Evergran’s Friend, you can meet Evergran at any time if he wishes it.

#As Evergran’s Friend, you have absolute exemption from taxes within Pasna Kingdom.

#As Evergran’s Friend, you have absolute immunity from all crimes within Pasna Kingdom.

#As Evergran’s Friend, you have the right to intervene in any matter within Pasna Kingdom.

#No one in Pasna Kingdom except Evergran Finriver can give orders to Evergran’s Friend.



“Whoa, what the…?”

Reading the explanation for Evergran’s Friend, Levan exclaimed out loud without meaning to.

That was how absolute the rights of Evergran’s Friend were in Pasna Kingdom.

With a hollow laugh, Levan muttered,

“No wonder people value connections so much…”

In Pasna Kingdom, the king’s backing was more powerful than any other support.

Levan had basically been given a ‘power’ that matched the king’s.

Especially the universal pardon for all crimes—now that was a shocking right.

Levan thought to himself,

‘Good thing I’m not a psycho. I mean, if the king covers for me, I could literally commit a massacre and get away with it, right?’

Levan shook his head, grateful he was just a regular guy with ADHD, not a psychopath.

He then checked Evergran’s Gift Box.



[Would you like to open Evergran’s Gift Box?]



The moment he picked up the box, the system asked if he wanted to open it.

Of course he would.

Levan accepted immediately.



[You have obtained the Finriver Royal Family’s Bracelet.]

[You have obtained the Red Lion’s Warhorn.]



…Just looking at them, these were clearly not ordinary items.