Chapter 76: Zagald’s Promise

“Whew……”

Zagald III, who had given the order, let out a long sigh and slumped back onto his throne.

In that short span, the king's complexion seemed even paler.

Levan bowed his head and spoke.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

“Wait.”

With his business done, all that was left was to return to Pasna, where the Masterials were waiting.

But as Levan turned to leave, Zagald III stopped him in his tracks.

Levan’s cheek twitched.

Perhaps it was because he hoped Zagald III might reward him.

‘Yeah. If he’d really let me go just like this, he wouldn’t deserve to be called king.’

It was something he fully expected.

After all, Levan’s report had, in a way, benefited the interests of the kingdom.

Levan calmed his twitching cheek and looked up at the king with a nonchalant expression.

Then, Zagald III slowly continued.

“I nearly let you go just like that. That would not do—such would be ungrateful to a benefactor.”

As expected.

Levan held back a grin, answering humbly.

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. I’m more than satisfied just knowing Repel has been punished.”

“You may be, but I am not. I’ve always been the sort to clearly distinguish favors and debts. So, if there is anything you wish for, say it now and feel at ease. I will do my utmost to grant your desire.”

Zagald III was sincere.

But, contrary to the king’s kindly tone, Levan’s heart was unsettled.

After all, when it came to receiving rewards, open-ended choices with no clear options were the hardest.

Especially when you didn’t know much about the other party.

But he had to answer.

After a moment’s deliberation, Levan finally spoke.

“Then, Your Majesty, I do have a request.”

“Speak.”

“In truth, I don’t wish for anything right now. But in the distant future, should I ever need Your Majesty’s help, I would ask that you grant me one favor then.”

“A favor?”

“Yes.”

“Hm, that shouldn’t be too difficult, Scylla.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring it for him.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After much thought, that was the decision Levan made.

He chose none other than to keep the favor for later.

‘It’s better to keep a favor for later than to take some random reward right now. If I can’t think of anything good, I can always use it for some video content or something.’

Warlord is a game with many variables.

So when there’s nothing you particularly want now, it’s best to save your choice for later.

For Levan, who had become a Wartuber, it wasn’t a bad option.

At Zagald III’s command, Scylla, the chief handmaiden, soon appeared with a small ring.

“Please accept this.”

“Thank you.”

[You have obtained Zagald’s Promise.]

The so-called “item” was a ring.

Levan checked its information.

[Zagald’s Promise]

-Grade: Legendary, Royal.

-Restriction: None.

-Durability: 500/500

-Options

Magic Defense +100.

#Zagald’s Aura applied.

[#Zagald’s Aura]

-Effect: Grants the bearer absolute respect from those who serve the Zagald royal family.

#One-time use of Zagald III’s Assistance available.

[#Zagald III’s Assistance]

-Effect: The bearer of Zagald’s Promise may request help from Zagald III one time only.

Zagald’s Promise.

Its options were as straightforward as its name.

Moreover, being a royal item, its grade was both Royal and Legendary.

Of course, compared to the royal bracelet, its options were rather shabby, but still, it was better than nothing.

Levan immediately slipped the ring on and bowed his head.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“No, it is I who should thank you.”

With that, Levan left the palace.

There didn’t seem to be anything more he could gain by staying, and he felt a prick of conscience at the thought of squeezing out more.

‘Well, then, I suppose it’s time to try persuading the Masterials.’

Having no more business in Gald Castle, Levan left without regret.

---

Is there anything more reassuring than having a king as your friend?

Evergran kept his word to Levan, taking care of the Masterials as if it were his own affair.

When Levan heard that the Masterials had been given the vacant palace annexes as their temporary lodgings, he felt sincerely grateful to Evergran.

With a triumphant expression, Evergran asked,

“How is it?”

“Honestly, I’m a bit surprised. But is it really okay to just give away the royal annexes?”

“I’m the king. Why shouldn’t I?”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

“To be honest, there’s nowhere in this country besides the royal palace that could accommodate nearly seventy people at once. Those annexes were built for this sort of thing anyway.”

“Still, you can’t have them stay at the palace forever.”

“Who knows?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been thinking, even if we let them use the annexes, it probably won’t matter much.”

“Isn’t this a bit too much?”

“Too much? I’m the king. This much isn’t even a burden. And so what? With most of the Masterials gone from the kingdom, if this is how I can win their hearts, I think it’s a pretty good deal.”

“You think so?”

“Our country is still called a ruined nation by outsiders. If we don’t take this chance to strengthen our foundation, when will we? That’s why, rather, I’m very grateful to you. It feels like I’m always in your debt.”

“If you know that, why dump the position of Tower Master on me?”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Give it a rest. Even an old soup bone hasn’t been boiled as much as you’re using that excuse.”

“What’s a soup bone?”

“……”

Despite the words, both of them felt grateful to one another.

Once the bulk of the unpacking was done, Evergran held a small banquet to welcome the Masterials.

In truth, the gathering was one Evergran had arranged especially for Levan.

Evergran nudged Levan in the side.

“From what I hear, it seems Evan is the leader on that side. He’s there with his son. Why don’t you go over?”

He had already explained the situation to Evergran.

That was why he arranged the banquet, to give Levan a chance.

Levan, holding his wine glass, headed to where Evan and Ark were seated.

“Levan-nim!”

Ark, his face flushed, greeted Levan warmly.

Judging by his state, he seemed already half-drunk.

“Thank you so much! If it weren’t for you, Levan-nim, we’d have been troll food by now!”

“…My apologies. My son seems to be quite drunk.”

“No need to apologize. From what I hear, Ark is already an adult. It’s a happy day—he should know how to enjoy himself.”

“Isn’t that right?!”

“Rang!”

“Huh, what?”

Seeing Ark’s excitement wouldn’t die down, Evan eventually called over Rang to take Ark away.

After Ark was dragged off, Evan spoke.

“Sorry for the spectacle.”

“Not at all. Rather, I have something to say to you, Evan-nim.”

“As it happens, I also have something to discuss with you, Levan-nim. I’ve been waiting.”

“Then, would you like to go first?”

“Shall I?”

In the end, both wanted to say the same thing.

So it didn’t matter who spoke first.

Evan poured Levan a glass of wine, and Levan filled Evan’s cup in return.

After a small toast, Evan took a sip and slowly began.

“Levan-nim, it seems I am still as stubborn and inflexible as ever.”

“What makes you say that?”

“A great many things happened today. Not only did I escape the prison I thought I’d be trapped in for life, but I shed tears reuniting with people I thought I’d never see again. I felt fear during it all, and shuddered at the sense of betrayal. Yet in the end, just like in a fairy tale for children, everything ended happily with no one hurt.”

“That is fortunate.”

“And this is all thanks to you, Levan-nim. You said you only helped us because you felt responsible for what happened, but clapping takes two hands—how could we blame you for our situation?”

“……”

“Unlike those Central Tower bastards, you, Levan-nim, took responsibility from start to finish and saved us. So, to repay that kindness, we should do as you suggested, but…”

As he spoke, Evan’s face reddened.

He didn’t seem drunk—just overwhelmed by emotion.

Evan continued.

“…Though I know I should follow your words, I am too attached to the name Masterial to let go.”

“No. I completely understand. I merely made a suggestion; I have no intention of forcing anyone.”

“No, if one receives a favor, it is only right to repay it. But my convictions are so old and rusted that, no matter how much oil I apply, they still creak. So I talked for a long time with Ark.”

“With Ark?”

“Yes. Ark was very positive about your proposal from the start, Levan-nim. And all of Ark’s friends share his view. Maybe it’s because they’re young. So we decided not to force our stubbornness on the younger Masterials.”

“Wait—does that mean…”

“Yes. We elders will remain as the last Masterials. But our children will follow you and walk a new path.”

“Ah…”

Levan was at a loss for words at the unexpected answer.

For as Evan said, if even a portion of the Masterials took the War Mage path, the problem would have been solved long ago.

“The Masterials rooted in Gald Castle number only about seventy. Of those, forty are of my age group. Thirty are about Ark’s age. We raised them ourselves. But I don’t think my children lack in any way. They have been trained as artisans since childhood. So, please, will you accept the life’s masterpieces we have made?”

When Evan finished, his flushed face had returned to normal.

Having said all he needed to, the pressure was lifted.

Evan was sincere.

Levan, too, sensed that sincerity.

He could not help but be moved.

To Evan’s heartfelt request, Levan bowed his head with respect and answered.

“Accept them? It’s unthinkable. I will do everything I can, so that the glory and destiny Ark carried as a Masterial may continue as a War Mage. Thank you, Evan-nim, for making such a great decision for Ark’s future, not for me.”

“Thank you for saying that, Levan-nim. We, as the last Masterials, will stay by our children’s side on their new path, teaching them all we can so that they may become greater people, and so that we do not become a burden to you, War Mage-nim.”

Mutual respect and encouragement.

And gratitude.

The two shared their heartfelt feelings. When their conversation ended, those who had quietly waited for their talk to finish all raised their glasses together.

And at that moment—

Ding!

[The channel you subscribe to has a new video update.]

A new notification popped up in front of Levan’s eyes.