## Chapter 1291 – The Capital
“Whatever the case, the topic of a political marriage ends here.”
“Hmm… What a shame.”
Ainfel continued to express her disappointment, but…
“Alright. The political marriage talk ends here.”
She quickly regained her cool demeanor and said that.
“Then my business here is done. Thank you so much for your time. It was a very pleasant experience. And satisfying, too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I got to know you a little better. Oh, one last thing. The royal family is on your side.”
“Oh my. On my side, you say?”
“Yes.”
I haven’t taken anyone’s side yet.
It’s not good to assume things like that.
“Anyway, well. I’ll be going now.”
“Goodbye.”
I said that, opened the door, and went outside.
“Seriously.”
Being handsome and capable is tiring.
No matter how you look at it, Cheonma Kim Kat is a desirable talent. Not only that, but anyone who sees me can’t help but bow their head. I’m just that perfect of an existence.
I know Princess Ainfel’s pride took a bit of a hit, but I don’t need to worry about that. The important thing is that she hasn’t given up yet.
But gaining my love will be impossible.
It’s unfortunate for the princess, who has a goal to achieve, but if I’m not interested, that’s the end of the story. A political marriage? What era is this where such a thing is even plausible? It was a ridiculous, outdated custom.
“Yes! Of course! I will guide you to the next location!”
After standing for a moment, the attendants who had been waiting approached me, bowing their heads as they spoke.
“Oh.”
Next up is the famous King Karga. I’ve only seen him once after catching the Valkyrie, but he seemed dignified enough.
After meeting the Sword Master, the princess, and now the king, today’s meetings will be over. I’ve met all the key figures of the royal family.
They must value me that much.
I immediately followed the attendants.
* * *
The place for the meeting with the king was none other than the royal audience chamber. A large room with a bright red carpet that stretched all the way to the stairs at the front.
At the top of the stairs was the throne.
King Karga sat there, welcoming me.
“I extend a warm welcome to the palace, Paladin Kim Kat. I am truly delighted to meet you like this.”
The procedure for meeting him wasn’t too complicated. In fact, those who invited me probably knew how absurd it would be to force such cumbersome etiquette on me.
The Sword Master Auntie stood silently behind him. Is she practically the king’s personal bodyguard? It’s certainly possible. So, it was just the three of us in the audience chamber.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Paladin Kim Kat.”
I bowed slightly, introducing myself.
Of course, I had a smile on my face.
Since he greeted me with a smile, I returned the greeting with a smile.
“Oh, your voice is quite beautiful.”
“Excuse me?”
What?
“One of the virtues of a ruler is such a beautiful voice. Even your large build, like that of a great general, and your well-trained body. Hahaha, you truly possess all the qualities of a hero. And with your handsome appearance, you are truly a man like a hero from history.”
I was bombarded with compliments, and I wondered what was going on. Still, I could understand the meaning behind the king’s praise.
“Hehehe, thank you for the compliments. You are quite the manly man yourself, Your Majesty.”
“I am glad you say so.”
Whatever the case, the royal family must have generally understood my personality, character, and beliefs. Especially since I’m a famous paladin.
They know they need to be kind and treat me well.
“More than that, well. As I have the undeserved title of King, I pride myself on having a good eye for people.”
The King looked at me with a smiling face and spoke like an old sage.
“It’s as if a brilliant halo is shining behind you. It’s like seeing something… sacred. I’m not just saying that. I truly see it that way.”
His eyes were filled with genuine emotion. A halo, you say?
“Ah. You mean this?”
Come to think of it, I turned it on when I came in.
I just felt like playing around a bit.
“It’s an on/off type.”
I deactivated the halo that was emanating from behind me.
—Fwoosh.
In an instant, the light faded away.
“?”
The king, whose face was still wearing a gentle smile, briefly looked puzzled. Was he thinking, “The halo… was actually real?” He had the face of someone thinking that.
“Watch.”
—Hwaaaaaa.
When I unleashed my power again, a halo burst forth from behind me once more. Not only that, but heart effects were also in full bloom. I decided to take it one step further.
—Hwaaaaaa!
With that, magnificent wings, which were no different from a boast, unfolded. The wings, burning with white light, were so detailed that every single feather was fully realized.
I can show this much.
“…”
The king, who had been silent for a moment at the amazing phenomenon,
“Heh, hahaha…”
Clapped softly and laughed.
“How beautiful those wings are… My goodness. What an amazing thing. The halo was real. I thought it was just something that only I could see…”
“I didn’t mean to cause any misunderstanding.”
“It’s alright. And it’s true that you, Paladin, are very special. It is an honor to see the power of you, a faithful and righteous paladin.”
This is something.
“Also, I would like to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude, you say?”
“The royal family is well aware that you, Paladin, have slain countless demons, executed heretics who worship evil gods, annihilated criminal organizations, and hunted powerful monsters. Truly… your achievements are worthy of a hero from history. No. You could already be called a hero.”
He’s really gilding my face.
The king praised me endlessly. Perhaps he was genuinely moved. Most people are thrilled the moment they see my wings. But I don’t think that would be the case even for someone who has reigned as king for decades.
“Anyway, this is the second time I’ve seen you, Your Majesty. I saw you once during the Valkyrie incident. Regarding the reward.”
“You have become an even greater and more precious existence than you were then. I am delighted to have witnessed the process of a hero from a story growing. No. I can already call you a hero.”
“Hehehe, of course.”
The king seemed very pleased as he spoke. The Sword Master standing behind him was just standing still, looking at me.
“I am truly moved. To see such a great hero of the century. To think I would see a man like a hero like this. In fact, I was waiting for this meeting. Anticipating it like a boy… Hahaha. I am not young, but it is always a pleasure to see a strong warrior.”
“Oh. Do you like warriors?”
“Yes. Especially a hero like you, I can’t help but like even more.”
The king smiled and stroked his chin.
Anyway, it’s time to get to the point.
He’s praised me enough.
As if reading the air, the king said.
“So… did the marriage proposal with Princess Ainfel go well?”
“Marriage proposal, you say?”
It went well.
“I believe that you would be a very good match for my daughter, Princess Ainfel. She is a very beautiful and intelligent child. She will take good care of a hero like you.
Is that how much he values his daughter?
“Also, I believe that you will be able to govern the direct territory in the east well. Of course, it is a very sudden proposal, but I believe that it is a right that a faithful and righteous hero like you should enjoy.”
Oh my.
What a lot of gilding.
This was originally the role I used to play. Seeing the king putting in so much effort makes me think of the old days. Noob Kim Kat… I was the world’s strongest at sucking up to superiors.
But now I’m in a position to be sucked up to. Even someone called a king has no choice but to do that to me.
“Thank you for your words, but I have rejected the marriage proposal.”
“What?”
I feel sorry for the king, who has gilded my face so much, but I kicked away the political marriage.
“It is a grateful thing, but I refused.”
“Hmm… May I ask why?”
The king’s eyes became serious.
Is he worried that I rejected it because I didn’t like the conditions? There’s no need to be anxious. Still, it’s natural for a king to be anxious.
“The reason is simple. No matter how good the conditions are, isn’t it a political marriage?”
“A political marriage… You could almost say so.”
“That’s why I refused. Because it is a marriage without love.”
“Wh-what? Love?”
“Yes. I do not marry without love.”
“…”
The king briefly fiddled with the end of the armrest of his throne, then turned slightly and exchanged glances with the Sword Master.
For some reason, the Sword Master was holding her face with her hand.
“Hmph, hmm. Love. Love is important. To overlook that. I feel very sorry for being so rude. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“Hehehe, it was not rude. It could have happened.”
“You are indeed a hero with a very generous heart. But love. So you know romance. Hahaha.”
“Hehehe, I know a lot about romance.”
Because I am a Romantic Cheonma.
“Anyway, it is a great pity that you rejected it.”
King Karga sighed as if he was truly disappointed.
“Ah, of course. Even if that was not the reason, our Karga royal family can provide you, Paladin, with many things. Please know that. There are things that we should naturally do for you, a faithful paladin who has served the kingdom until now.”
“Thank you very much.”
I bowed my head and greeted him properly.
Whatever the case, there is no reason to treat someone who wants to get along with me badly.
“Is there anything you want? If it is a title or territory, I will try to accommodate you as much as possible.”
“A title and territory, you say? I’m fine for now. Because there is still much work to be done.”
“…Work to be done, you say.”
The king probably knows roughly. Because Kadia has already told him most of the situation. Of course, Kadia also talked to the royal family to deal with this problem.
“The rampant heretics… and the demons who are constantly aiming for this land. Is that it?”
“Yes. Nothing is more important to me than that right now.”
That’s the most important thing.
“What a truly heroic mindset.”
The king smiled and clapped.
“Then what about after that task is completed?”
“It seems like it will take some time, so it is difficult to decide right now. Nevertheless, I will not forget the kindness that Your Majesty has shown me.”
“I am very grateful that you say so.”
The king continued to speak in a tone that he wanted to give me something. He didn’t bring up the marriage proposal even once after hearing that I had rejected it.
The story with the king ended with roughly that feeling. What should I say? He was someone who only showed me favor without mentioning anything about sensitive matters.
His face was smiling, and he seemed to like me very much, but the true meaning was all visible to the already grown Cheonma Kim Kat.
King Karga is just extremely wary of me. That’s what was expressed in that form.
“There’s no need to be afraid.”
I always think that if the Karga Kingdom was an evil empire, it would have been destroyed by my hands long ago. But the Karga Kingdom is beyond normal, and rather a decent kingdom.
—Rumble.
The procession of me going outside was also very splendid. Many attendants clung to me, asking if I would like to have a meal, or if there was anything else I wanted to see, and made various suggestions, but I cut them all off and moved to go home.
“Farewell, everyone.”
