Chapter 140 : Chapter 140

Chapter 140. That Came On a Bit Strong (1)

The general affairs were all taken care of.

He had won the Arcana, requisitioned (?) a huge amount of gifts from the nobles, and had come to some sort of an agreement with the mages of the Tower of Truth and the elves.

As for how he did it….

“I will definitely come back as soon as the results of the tower’s meeting are decided. So please wait for me.”

“Are you going to give me a Soul Weapon?”

“How many times have I told you that is an excessive demand?”

“I've also told you several times, right? If you don't want to, then don't.”

“Kkeueueung….”

The mage from the Tower of Truth felt like he was going to go crazy.

How could he express this frustration and anger of having something he wanted so badly right in front of him, yet being absolutely unable to obtain it?

To the mage who was about to grab the back of his neck and collapse, Patrick waved a handkerchief and said.

“Take care on your way.”

“Wait. I will definitely be back. Definitely!”

“So are you a demon king or something?”

The mage from the Tower of Truth, who was shouting at the top of his lungs that he would definitely be back after getting the permission of the Seven Sages.

It was unknown what answer they would bring back.

However….

‘Well, there’s no way I’ll be at a loss.’

All Patrick had to do was wait leisurely.

And in the case of the elves….

“Mr. Patrick. We will be leaving for now.”

Elione's eyes, who said she was leaving, were full of regret.

She held Patrick's hand tightly and repeatedly urged him.

“You must visit our forest as soon as possible. Understood?”

“As soon as possible…. until when?”

Patrick contemplated.

Going all the way to Evergreen in the north of the continent right now was a bit of a tight schedule.

But considering his future plans, the cooperation of the elves was hard to give up.

If so, even if it meant pushing himself a little….

“We only have about 30 years at most.”

“……”

Ah, right.

They were elves.

At the unexpectedly relaxed schedule, Patrick smiled warmly and said.

“I'm busy, but it can’t be helped. I’ll try to visit within 30 years. I have some business to attend to as well.”

“Ah…. thank you. Mr. Patrick.”

Thus, the elves, after giving Patrick piles of gifts and earnestly asking him to visit Evergreen, returned.

Especially Elione, whose gaze towards Patrick was dripping with honey.

In the process of becoming one with the World Tree through Qi Guiding and Harmonizing, she had developed a strong affection for Patrick.

Originally, elven affection was said to be as bland as water, but her expression as she looked at Patrick was filled with a passion like that of a human woman.

Anyway, all the problems were solved.

Now, what was left was….

“We should get going too.”

At that one word from Patrick, the other companions let out sighs of relief.

They were worried about what crazy thing that madman would do next, but it seemed he was finally going to leave.

“We’re finally leaving.”

“I hope the journey back is a bit more comfortable.”

“I know, right.”

The group packed their luggage.

The luggage had grown several times larger than when they came.

Most of it was gifts received by the Arcana champion, Patrick, and thanks to that, they had to hire additional carriages and coachmen.

After loading all the luggage, Professor Leyte, standing at the front of the long procession, said.

“Everyone has worked hard. Let’s return to our country now.”

“Yes.”

“We’re finally going.”

“Goodbye, Magellan Kingdom!”

Thus, the Arcana, which was evaluated as the highest level in history, came to an end.

* * *

“They’re coming!”

“They’re coming! They’ve finally arrived!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

It was an incomparably splendid return.

Not only had they washed away the shame of the Atronia Kingdom, which had not won a single match in the Arcana until now.

But they had even produced a champion.

It was the first great achievement since the founding of the kingdom.

The citizens of White Town, who had come out half-forced to cheer when they left, now came out on their own, throwing flowers and cheering enthusiastically.

“Please look over here. Over here!”

“Kyaaa! He looked this way.”

“Who is Young Master Patrick?”

“Who is the Double Dragon?”

“Princess Isabellaaa!”

Among the crowded populace, from the boys desperately jumping to catch a glimpse of the Arcana champion to the girls who threw flowers and shrieked if they made eye contact….

It was definitely very different from before.

“Senior, what should we do about this?”

“I think things have gotten big.”

“It's big enough to be big. That's true, but….”

They were frozen stiff.

The scene before them was far beyond their expectations.

The central avenue of White Town, which could usually accommodate eight carriages passing through, was covered with flower petals.

The left and right sides were packed with crowds, and the splendid welcoming crowd filled the road all the way to the royal palace.

The people's reaction was so enthusiastic that the knightly order had to desperately step in to control the crowd.

‘Haha…. this is quite….’

They had expected to be welcomed.

But this was a reception that far surpassed the expectations of these young men in their 20s.

The intense welcome, so much so that they would become intoxicated if they let their guard down, was paralyzing their sense of reality.

Among them, only one person.

Only Patrick was no different from usual.

“Don’t be scared. Straighten your shoulders and hold your head up. And just look straight ahead.”

‘That fearless bastard?’

‘I thought he only had no conscience, but he has no fear either.’

‘Is it a characteristic of the demon race?’

Calm?

Composed?

No, that appearance of sitting on a horse while yawning widely should be classified as familiarity.

Still, thanks to Patrick's nonchalant attitude, their tension was somewhat eased.

To the point where they could wave to the surroundings with a somewhat awkward smile.

Patrick smirked at his seniors.

‘Pathetic, you country bumpkins.’

He was the Radiant Dragon Great Master Jin Cheon.

To be called a Great Master in the martial world basically meant that you had done a lot of righteous deeds.

Beating up mountain bandits.

Beating up thieves.

Beating up water bandits.

Beating up lechers….

‘Huh? Was it a title you got just for being good at fighting?’

Anyway, Patrick was a Great Master in his previous life.

When he solved a big case, the high-ranking officials of the Murim Alliance would have expressions as if they had chewed on something foul, but the common people would throw flowers in his path, hold his hand, and express their gratitude with tears.

To Patrick, who had returned after completely destroying the stronghold of a vicious mountain bandit or rescuing children kidnapped by water bandits, they would offer the highest praise they could and lift him up.

Just like now.

“It reminds me of the old days.”

At that, Alex, who was riding his horse next to him, said bluntly.

“How old are you that you’re always talking about the old days?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, what would you know, senior?”

“Hey. This bastard….”

“Oh, there’s His Majesty the King.”

Alex's mouth, which was about to argue, snapped shut.

At the end of the central avenue of White Town.

There, the king himself had come out to welcome them.

“Before the rightful and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom. His Majesty, King Fiesto Cloria Atronia. All shall kneel!”

At the chamberlain's loud voice, the entire delegation, led by Professor Leyte, dismounted from their horses, knelt, and bowed their heads.

The king looked at the group with a benevolent smile and said.

“All, raise your heads.”

After the king's permission was granted and everyone raised their heads, the king said.

“Patrick Schneider, step forward.”

“Yes.”

As Patrick stepped forward, the king said with a smile.

“It seems you weren't all talk.”

“How could I speak falsely before Your Majesty the King?”

Patrick had previously mentioned winning the Arcana and demanded a reward.

At that time, the king had considered Patrick to be just a young punk.

A young punk whose confidence had run wild without understanding reality.

But the situation had changed.

Patrick, who had returned after keeping his word, was now not a young punk but a national hero.

“I made you a promise at that time, did I not?”

“Yes. I remember it clearly.”

[The words of a king carry a different weight from others. If a winner of the Arcana comes from our country, I will grant their wish, whatever it may be, as long as it is within my power.]

It was a statement the king had publicly announced in front of everyone before they left for the Arcana.

Even a king could not take this back.

No, should I say that because he was a king, he couldn't take it back?

The king had unexpectedly become indebted to Patrick.

“It seems there are some things we need to discuss. Let's see each other separately after the welcome banquet.”

“I will wait with anticipation, Your Majesty.”

After that short conversation, the king took Patrick's hand, raised it, and said.

“All praise! The return of a hero!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

“Patrick Schneider!”

“Double Dragon!”

“Long live the Atronia Kingdom!”

‘Huh. Did I get a nickname?’

Hearing the people occasionally mixed in with the cheering crowd saying Double Dragon, Patrick grinned.

“Double Dragon….”

He really liked this one.

* * *

A banquet so splendid and grand that the royal chamberlain screamed was held.

The doors of the grand banquet hall of the royal palace, which were only opened for a royal's birthday, were opened, and the most prominent nobles of the kingdom were invited.

Food, alcohol, music.

Everything was prepared to the highest standard.

But among the many treasures gathered here, the most shining treasure was, of course, a person.

“Nice to meet you, Patrick Schneider-gun. I am Viscount Oliveira.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Viscount.”

“Congratulations on winning the Arcana. I never thought I would see a winner from our country in my lifetime.”

“I was lucky.”

Viscount Oliveira tried to start a full-fledged conversation with Patrick, beginning with greetings, but it was impossible.

“Schneider-gun. It's our first time meeting. I am Count Randall. Are you perhaps interested in wine? The wine from my fiefdom boasts the best quality in the kingdom.”

“Ahem, move aside. Schneider-gun. I am Count Lator. I have heard rumors for a while that an excellent talent has emerged in the east.”

“Schneider-gun. Would you perhaps once my daughter….”

Patrick Schneider.

The son of a rural baronial family.

No fiancée yet.

The winner of the Arcana.

A 7-star swordsman.

Do you know what this means to the nobles?

A big fish.

He had to be caught, no matter what.

He had defeated the successor of the Sword Saint, proved his 7-star level, and proudly won the highest-level Arcana in history.

There was no need to discuss his future value.

Even considering his current value alone, he was a jackpot.

If they let this slip through their fingers, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Nobles who wanted to arrange a marriage with their daughters somehow kept sticking to Patrick.

Among them, there were many who were thinking that it wouldn't matter if it was a concubine and not the main wife.

“Hey, let me talk to him too.”

“How dare a mere viscount not know his place and butt in?”

“Hah? So what? Are you richer than me?”

“What did you say?”

The nobles' terrifying obsession was something even Patrick had never felt before.

‘Is this what nobles are originally like? Wasn't honor and face the most important thing?’

That depended on the situation.

In fact, even people in the martial world had arranged marriages, but they were nothing compared to the arranged marriages of nobles.

For them, who inherited power through bloodline, marriage was a much more important issue.

Usually, this kind of mess….

“It's been a while, Schneider-gun.”

“Count Parmas.”

It gets sorted out when a big shot appears.

Count Jaden Parmas.

The Margrave of the east and a powerful figure who was among the top ten in the entire kingdom.

At his appearance, the other nobles quietly backed away.

Count Parmas appeared between them with a smile and said.

“It really has been a while. It's the first time since that bandit subjugation incident.”

“That's right. It has been quite a while.”

“Fufufu. Recommending you as a transfer student to the academy was a good decision, even in hindsight. I never thought you would achieve the great feat of winning the Arcana.”

“It is all thanks to you, Count. I am always grateful.”

It was Patrick, who had initially not wanted to go to the academy and had planned to mess with the count.

Count Parmas, who had no way of knowing that, laughed heartily and said.

“Hahaha. Then I am grateful. Ah, how are things with my daughter lately?”

“If you mean the Young Lady of the Parmas County….”

“Patrick.”

Before Patrick could finish his words, a woman came running, her light blue dress fluttering.

Marianne Parmas.

The only daughter of Count Parmas and also a student in the administrative faculty of the academy, she had hurried over.

Arriving in front of Patrick, she fanned the sweat on her forehead and said.

“I'm sorry. There were some troublesome people on the way….”

“It’s been a while, Senior Parmas.”

“I told you to just call me Marianne.”

Marianne said so and subtly linked arms with Patrick.

Her dress had a daringly low-cut neckline.

Naturally, Patrick's arm could clearly feel the sensation of her chest pressing and squishing against it….

‘I don’t feel it. How thick is the padding?’

What he felt was more than 90% the elasticity of a cotton ball.

‘Wow, this is really unfair.’

Even the great Patrick was quite flustered by this.

Anyway, to others, wasn't this a scene of Patrick and Marianne being affectionately physical?

Still, to engage in such bold physical contact in front of the daughter's father was a great violation of Confucian ideals….

“Hahaha. You look good together. It’s good to be young, isn’t it?”

Ah, there was no Confucius or Mencius here.

What a great world.

Count Parmas, far from being displeased by his daughter's bold physical contact, laughed heartily instead.

And then….

“The music happens to be good. Why don't you two go dance and catch up on what you've missed.”

“Alright, Father.”

“Understood.”

Not being in a position to refuse, Patrick took Marianne's hand and headed to the dance floor.

Count Parmas held a glass of champagne and watched the scene with a pleased smile.

‘Fufufu, I thought he was a talent, but to think he would be such a jackpot….’

When he recommended Patrick to the academy, it was largely out of gratitude for saving his daughter.

In fact, getting him admitted mid-term into the academy, especially the competitive Knight Faculty, was quite a burden for Count Parmas.

He had to send many pleading letters here and there to ask for cooperation, and all that cooperation was a political debt to Count Parmas.

But now, the situation had changed.

Winning the Arcana.

A 7-star swordsman.

‘Debt? What damn debt?’

Now, it was a situation where those who he had asked for a favor back then had to repay the debt to Count Parmas.

Count Parmas had found a pearl, no, a diamond sleeping in the mud of the east and recommended it to them.

And that diamond was….

‘Completely mine.’

He was the only one who had recognized his value and supported him before Patrick became famous.

And now you want me to share this jewel with the flies that are just now sticking around?

He looked coldly at the nobles who were looking for an opportunity nearby and thought.

‘Don't even dream of it. I already called dibs.’

Seeing his daughter's happy expression as she danced with Patrick, he resolved to push an engagement contract to the Baron Schneider family as soon as he returned to the east.

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