Chapter 146 : Chapter 146

Chapter 146 : The One Who Will Be a Hero, The One Who Will Be a King (1)

Ims approached majestically, riding in a cart.

Though there were no horses, the cart rolled its wheels on its own and came toward us.

I didn’t know for sure, but it was probably a product of condensed, incredible magitech.

‘Though to my eyes, it just looks like a Yakult electric cart…….’

Still, it was true that it looked amazing seeing it here.

Even Everchen, the most serious of my companions, couldn’t take his eyes off it.

Keldric had already run up and stuck close to the cart long ago, and Bea too had approached the front of the cart and was glancing at it.

After getting off the cart, Ims immediately greeted Hike politely.

Hike nodded and entered the High Dragon’s Nest.

Ims did not raise her head until her back had completely disappeared.

“Don’t tell me everything loaded here is equipment!”

Keldric asked, unable to hide his excitement.

To think it was loaded with equipment that would surprise even the young master of the 1st Autonomous Region?

I also went closer to look at the equipment.

First, the gear on the very top was the Thunder Plate.

It was the auction item I had asked Balan for.

“Why did you bring this, Lady Ims?”

“How could I not come when you even wrote me a letter yourself, Lord Polarin.”

Ims replied with a warm smile.

“I too hope for you to become a hero, Lord Polarin.”

“Still, the journey here couldn’t have been comfortable……. There are quite a lot of beasts around here, too.”

“When I said I was going to deliver equipment to you, Lord Polarin, Lord Pasion assigned the White Dragon Knights as an escort. Thanks to you, Lord Polarin, I get to experience such luxury.”

Ims took out the items loaded on the cart one by one.

As she did, the cart looked even more like a Yakult electric cart, but the pieces of equipment coming out of it were each and every one an outstanding item.

First, I received the Thunder Plate and the Dragon Killer I had requested.

“The other items here are also yours, Lord Polarin.”

Ims also handed over gloves and shoes.

They were pieces of equipment I hadn’t requested.

But they were clearly rare items I had seen in the auction catalog.

‘Pilok, they say if you wear those gloves, the sword will never slip from your hand. The shoes are also an artifact with a speed buff…….’

Then, Ims distributed equipment to Everchen, Keldric, and Bea as well.

My companions also received more equipment than I had intended to give them.

“Woooow…… thank you.”

Everyone rejoiced with their mouths agape.

Although they had just come from the Dragon King’s Vault, they had to give up other equipment because they chose Tunes.

The items they had missed right before their eyes must have still been vivid in their minds.

But the equipment from the Imperial Palace Vault that Ims brought now was in no way inferior compared to the items in the Dragon’s Vault.

While everyone was joyfully equipping their new gear, Ims handed me a hefty money pouch.

“This…… isn’t this the money I gave you to use at the auction?”

“Yes, that’s right. Please use it for something better next time. This time, it is a gift from me.”

“Pardon? But the money you send me every month is also piling up. I wouldn’t have had a chance to use it if not for times like this……”

“Please think of it as payment for the letter. I was very happy to receive your letter, Lord Polarin.”

Ims covered her mouth with a fan and chuckled hoho.

“But why did you come in person?”

“Oh my, did you want to see Lady Balan?”

“That’s not it. You must be very busy with the affairs of the 9th Autonomous Region, Lady Ims.”

“Since I’ve spent the money, I might as well show it off a little…….”

And Ims’s benevolent gaze momentarily sharpened.

“And I plan to spend more money. On you and your companions, Lord Polarin.”

It was the gaze of a merchant.

***

The cart Ims brought had more diverse functions than I thought.

When she manipulated a few things, the cart became a wide table and chairs.

My companions and I sat around the table with Ims.

The sharp expression that had momentarily surfaced on Ims's face had quickly vanished.

She was looking at me again with a smile on her lips.

“You don’t mean you’ll be spending money here…… so where do you intend to spend it?”

“Of course, it must be spent on appointing you as the hero of the family, Lord Polarin.”

“Is that possible with money?”

“Yes, that’s what I do best. Using money for useful things to obtain what is essential.”

Ims seemed full of confidence. To make a hero with money.

It wouldn’t be easy.

Because it was the first time the Adjak family, filled with pride for their ancestors, was selecting a hero since Adjak himself.

‘It seems difficult even with a ridiculous amount of money. Besides, I heard I’m not even the most likely candidate right now.’

Ims stared intently into my eyes.

I avoided her gaze, afraid she would read the suspicion in my eyes.

“Of course, I don’t intend to buy the position of a hero. The family elders aren’t fools. They would never sell that position for money.”

“You must have a plan.”

“Yes, I do. There is a plan established by those who are striving to make you a hero, including myself.”

The faces of those who supported me, especially Pasion, Balua, and Akuhata, came to mind first.

They, who held the high positions of the Twelve Swords of Adjak, had willingly stepped forward to help me.

But it seemed the support wasn't limited to them.

“Tello’s leader Agamben, myself, and Lord Itilus have also decided to support you, Lord Polarin. We are also in the middle of persuading the elders. Still, our influence is lacking.”

“I think the influence is sufficient……. My skills are still lacking.”

“It seems you’ve heard who the most likely candidate is.”

“Yes, I heard that Lord Gallajio wishes to become the hero.”

Gallajio Adjak.

A member of the Twelve Swords of Adjak, known as the strongest within the family.

Unusually for someone from the Adjak family, he was a Sword Master recognized by the Empire, and he also served as the supreme commander of the Imperial Navy.

Unlike the other members of the Twelve Swords who said they would pass on the hero title to the next generation, Gallajio declared that he himself would become the hero.

“There are those who curse him, saying a grown adult is meddling in the affairs of the younger generation, but Lord Gallajio is also qualified.”

“Yes, I know. All hero candidates have equal qualifications.”

“The way to defeat Lord Gallajio, who is called the Empire’s Sword Master and the King of the Seas is…… for you to become a king as well, Lord Polarin.”

“A king?”

I was flustered by the out-of-the-blue remark.

“Yes, to become the king who will rule a third of the world.”

“……By that you mean.”

“That’s right. Please become the king of all Inoe.”

I was surprised that the dream Ims envisioned was so vast.

A third of the world.

The world was commonly divided into Myeolji, the Empire, and Inoe.

Among them, Inoe literally meant the territory of races other than humans.

If they were to properly join forces, even the Empire wouldn't be able to hold out.

But that would never happen.

Because the Inoe races would never join forces.

The Lizardfolk had the Lizard King, the Elves had the Elf King, and the Dragonkin had the Dragon Lord.

Each race had its leader, but there was no monarch who unified all of Inoe.

In the legends of the Mythic Era, a king of Inoe existed, but now it was just a story without substance.

“We believe it’s possible. You, Lord Polarin, at least meet the primary qualifications.”

“Is it because I’m half-human, half-dragon?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

But even a pure-blooded dragon like Hike couldn't become the king of the Inoe.

Baden too was content with being the Dragon Lord and didn't think of unifying the Inoe.

No, no one in the world could think of unifying the Inoe.

I too had planned to receive help from the Inoe when forming my expedition.

But I was thinking of getting a few helpers, not even in my wildest dreams did I think of unifying all of Inoe.

“Please believe. We will help you become the king of the Inoe, Lord Polarin.”

Nevertheless, Ims spoke confidently, as if she had something to rely on.

My companions, who had been listening to the conversation, were now frozen, unable to react as the scale of the topic had grown too large.

They just rolled their eyes back and forth, looking between me and Ims.

It was certainly a story that was hard for even me to believe…….

But there was something I wanted to confirm before that.

“What is it that you want, Lady Ims?”

“Do I look like I’m doing this hoping for a reward?”

“Yes, I don’t know about the others, but I feel like you would want something, Lady Ims.”

“I’m disappointed. After supporting you for so long, Lord Polarin.”

She wasn't wrong.

Ims had supported my living expenses every month and she must have spent hundreds of thousands of Ren at the recent Imperial Auction.

I heard that she recently had the 18th Autonomous Region, Gullok Village, completely renovated.

And yet, Ims had never once asked anything of me. She just told me not to forget her when I succeeded.

That was why I had nothing to say even as Ims spoke with a disappointed tone and fanned herself.

Of course, I didn't say it based on any clear evidence.

But the look in Ims's eyes when she said she came to spend money.

It was the look of a complete merchant.

The same look as a merchant in the market who slyly raises the price of goods.

I wasn't saying it was wrong.

I had just momentarily discovered the look one has when exchanging what they desire in Ims's eyes.

“Actually, there is.”

“Please tell me.”

“I intend to become the master of the Fremont Consortium by proceeding with the work of making you the king of the Inoe, Lord Polarin.”

This was also something I couldn't understand, but I listened to Ims’s following explanation.

The Fremont Consortium, the largest merchant group in Tune World.

That consortium was currently preparing to select a successor to lead the next generation.

As long as one had Fremont blood, it didn't matter if they were from the direct line or a collateral branch, everyone could become a candidate, so Ims, a member of the Adjak family, had also entered the succession battle.

“The task to become the successor is ‘to make a king’. So there were those who bought a small kingdom with money, and those who founded a country, but the current consortium master said that such methods were out of the question.”

“So you intend to become the consortium master by making me the king of the Inoe, Lady Ims?”

“Yes, it is a dream I cannot achieve alone. That is why I am using you, Lord Polarin. Together with those who wish to help you, I will install you as the king of the Inoe.”

“Then what you want from me is…….”

“For you to definitely become the king of the Inoe, Lord Polarin.”

Ims said, her sharp eyes flashing once again.

“Is it enough if I just become the king of the Inoe?”

“That’s right. Become the king of the Inoe. I, who will become the master of the Fremont Consortium, will fill that kingdom’s treasury.”

I hadn't known that she, who only seemed warm and kind, possessed such great ambition.

Seeing how things were going, it seemed she had planned to make me the king of the Inoe from the moment she first saw me.

“We still need more time to prepare. We have already announced the fact that you are the one who has passed the Dragon’s Trial to the end, Lord Polarin.”

Ims slid a bundle of papers to me.

“For what will happen from now on, please refer to Agamben’s plan.”

The bundle of papers was none other than a schedule of the plan Agamben had established.

The plan to win over various races was written in detail.

Most of it didn't require me to step up personally, and it seemed to require a lot of help from those who said they would support me.

“Until you start moving in earnest to become a king, you can roam around freely as you have been doing. By any chance, do you have any future plans, Lord Polarin?”

I nodded. I also had something I had resolved to do once I finished the Dragon's Trial.

I added one more word under the list of races to secure on our side as a top priority in Agamben's schedule, and asked.

“You’d count demons as Inoe too, right? I know a few demons who have lost their connections.”

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