Chapter 39

Chapter 39 – Chapter 6: Encounter

He would obviously be alone after traveling through the transfer formation .

'Ah, a correction . I still have Carack . ’

Felicia had vanished somewhere with her followers . There were many people lingering in the area, so it could feel overwhelming .

Chris and Caitlin had less people but unlike the excitement and passion of Felicia’s followers, they seemed calm and serious . Chris lowered his voice as he moved and Caitlin followed Chris silently, sending a glance to In-gong before she left .

It might be considered as neglecting In-gong but he wasn’t confused at all . It was because he had already foreseen this situation . Felicia, Chris and Caitlin had warned him in advance that they would have to leave him alone .

The official event schedule, including the first court gathering, would start from tomorrow . If this had been an ordinary palace, there would be a tight schedule for the princes and princesses . However, the Demon King’s Palace was different .

Freedom – if he thought about it another way, it was neglect .

Chris and Caitlin were busy because they had a lot of people to meet . Meanwhile, In-gong had no one .

‘It was decided that I will meet Chris and Caitlin again in the evening . ’

Thus, it was okay . Now, it was time to enjoy the freely given time .

‘It is good that it is quiet . ’

All the people that had gathered at the transfer formation site for various reasons, including Felicia’s and Chris’ followers, were gone .

Carack, who was watching the view, moved his head from side to side .

"Prince, you are a prince, right? Did I miss something?”

"I am a prince . ”

There was no one here but he was clearly a prince .

"Follow me . Let’s unload all the gear first . ”

“Understood . ”

Carack replied while lifting the large bag on his back .

"Your Highness, the 9th Prince . ”

A beautiful woman appeared at the entrance . She was a dark elf dressed in the blue uniform of a lower official of the Demon King’s Palace .

‘Oh, that’s right . ’

No matter what the situation was, it didn’t make sense that there would be no one present for Shutra .

"Prince’s subordinate? Then you are my co-worker . ”

Carack smiled as he asked . The dark elf female remained silent as she ignored Carack and approached In-gong .

‘Pretty . ’

She was a beauty with the slim body of an elf and purple hair . The short, neatly cropped hair gave her the atmosphere of a cool urban woman .

‘It is a bit surprising that it is a dark elf instead of a gandharva . ’

However, that had no meaning . The fact that he had a subordinate was more important . It was also good that she was a pretty female .

In-gong pushed down his excitement and remained composed as he waited for the woman . The woman looked over In-gong and said words he hadn’t expected .

“Are you really the 9th Prince Shutra?”

“Huh? Uh, why?”

Wasn’t he Shutra? Was she truly his subordinate?

"My name is Flora Sevensword . I belong to the Demon King’s Palace’s real estate administration . It is an honour . ”

Flora followed up with more words .

“I heard the news . You can now choose a new home according to 9th Prince’s achievements . ”

“Huh?”

New home?

The reason for In-gong’s confusion was simple . In Knight Saga, it was common for treatment to improve if there were more achievements . However, there had never been a case of a new home being assigned .

‘Ah, that is because I was Zephyr . ’

Zephyr stayed in a mansion that was supplied by his mother’s family . Therefore, it wasn’t necessary to receive a new place of residence . In the first place, it was doubtful if there was any place in the city that was better to live than Zephyr’s mansion .

However, Shutra was different . There were many mansions in the Demon King’s Palace that were much better than Shutra’s old home .

'There is no reason not to give it to me . ’

In-gong was convinced and nodded with delight .

“I understand . Then should I go the Merits Department to choose?”

"That's correct . Should I guide you to the Merits Department?”

"Please . ”

He already knew the location of the Merits Department . However, In-gong accepted Flora’s offer just in case the layout was different from Knight Saga .

“I understand . I’ll take the lead . ”

Flora said respectfully before turning around and taking the lead .

Carack gazed at her rear view and laughed .

"Oh, you really are the 9th Prince . ”

"I am a prince . ”

In-gong shrugged and started moving .

&

The Demon King’s Palace wasn’t just one big and terrifying castle like those commonly found in RPGs .

There were several small castles and palaces surrounded by walls, as well as comfortable living spaces arranged among well-kept roads that were like towns and cities .

The Merits Department was located at the North Building after passing through a deep path in the forest . The transfer formation was located in the same building, so In-gong’s party could arrive there quickly .

‘The transfer formation is on the 1st floor of the building while the Merits Department is on the 2nd floor . It is the same as Knight Saga . ’

However, it was different seeing it in reality compared to in the game .

Flora guided In-gong to the Merits Department before retreating . He felt regret sending her away like this but it wasn’t her position .

After Flora left, In-gong looked at the nameplate that stated ‘Merits Department’ on the intimidating door . His heart unknowingly became warmer .

‘It is great to see it . ’

The Merits Department was the place that In-gong knew the best while playing Knight Saga . He also missed the NPC Isabella who was in charge of the Merits Department .

In-gong felt the same sense of subtle appreciation like he did when gazing at Vandal but he couldn’t delay due to Carack . In-gong opened the door to the Merits Department .

The Merits Department wasn’t that great . It was like the VIP room of a bank with a fine desk and one staff member .

There was an intelligent looking lamia (a species with the upper half of a beautiful woman and the lower half of a snake) with red hair at the desk .

It was Isabella who In-gong had missed .

Isabella was dressed in a neat uniform suited for a lamia and turned around to gaze at Shutra .

In-gong walked in front of Isabella .

“9th Prince Shutra Agnus . ”

Isabella was surprised for a moment but she quickly restored her professional expression . She gave a faint smile towards In-gong .

"Isabella from the Merits Department greets 9th Prince . ”

She bowed elegantly and continued speaking,

“Thank you for visiting the Merits Department . I welcome 9th Prince for your first visit . ”

‘She doesn’t know about me . ’

She said that this was his first visit, implying that he hadn’t made any achievements so far .

It was so sad that In-gong wanted to sigh, however, he couldn’t waste time . He sat down at the chair placed in front of the desk for visitors .

“I’ve come to check my achievements . It is said that my merits level has increased, so I can get a new place to live . ”

“Please wait a moment . ”

The somewhat excited Isabella moved her fingers in the air and something similar to In-gong’s status window floated there .

[9th Prince Shutra Agnus]

[Merits Level 0-> 5]

[Cumulative Merits: 0-> 15,000]

[Currently Available Merits: 15,000]

[Merits related to participating in the Red Lightning expedition]

-Dwarf cave/portal discovery .

-Defeating the Red Lightning chief Kaichin’s army .

-Killing Kaichin/ Kaidum .

-Rescuing 7th Princess Felicia .

-Causing a food shortage at the base of the Red Lightning tribe .

-Found/secured the Thunder Light Anvil .

-Red Lightning expedition’s first class merit award .

[The 9th Prince’s merits level will increase to 5 . ]

[The facilities available to use inside the Demon King’ Palace has increased . ]

[The monthly allowance has increased from 5 gold to 500 gold . ]

‘Only five gold?’

This explained the decorations inside his tent . Five gold a month – even Carack received more than that .

Now, it was increased to 500 gold . His merits level was also five .

That wasn’t the only thing that had risen .

“Really wonderful!”

Isabella exclaimed with a wide smile . Her cheeks turned red as she expressed her sincere admiration .

"9th Prince has raised so many merits on your first assignment . It is shameful but I thought there might have been an error when I first received news of Prince’s merits . This is really great . ”

It was just as good as listening to Caitlin’s praise . In-gong smiled and said in a relaxed voice,

"Thank you, Isabella . Then can you tell me what new homes are available?”

“I understand . Please wait a moment . ”

Isabella answered again as her fingers moved . This time, light gushed up from the floor to form a large map . It was so precise that it seemed like a 3D image .

"It is possible to select one of three available mansions . There is no difference in the performance because all three are grade 2 mansions . ”

As Isabella came out from the desk and stood in front of the map, a blue light flowed in three parts of the map .

Within the Demon King’s Palace, the building rating didn’t simply mean the building and the surrounding area . It included how much magic power could be supplied, additional facilities that could be installed and so on .

In-gong thought hard as he stared at the map . It was interesting that the location of the three mansions were extremely different . They were located at the east, west and south directions respectively .

‘I would prefer to be near Chris, Caitlin or Felicia . ’

Caitlin’s home was in the east of the Demon King’s Palace while Felicia lived in the west . Due to this, In-gong automatically eliminated the home in the south and examined the different conditions .

'I want to stay as far away from Zephyr and Anastasia as possible . . . ’

In the end, the only one left was the mansion in the east . In-gong raised his head and gazed at Isabella .

“Over there . ”

“I understand . I will contact the Real Estate Department to register this place as the home of 9th Prince . ”

Isabella then asked an additional question .

“How would you like the compensation for your achievements? Do you want to receive it here?”

The reason for this question was because In-gong went from level zero to level five instantly . Even if he only took one per level, the amount would be huge .

‘The compensation isn’t necessarily items or money . ’

When he had played Zephyr, he received rides such as a griffon or hippogriff a compensation .

"Please deliver it to the new address . Is that possible?”

"Of course . I will handle it in the manner that you indicated . ”

Isabella was just as blunt in reality as she had been in Knight Saga .

"Then 9th Prince, I will ask one last thing . Do you intend to use your merit values?”

Carack was confused by the mention of ‘merit values’ but In-gong understood immediately .

The role of the Merits Department wasn’t merely to appreciate the achievements .

As the merit level rose, treatment would improve . However, this wasn’t the end .

The princes and princess could use the merit value to buy necessary things at the stores . Even if the merit values were consumed, their merit level wouldn’t be decreased . Therefore, they could use merit values to purchase things when necessary .

In-gong thought about it for a moment before making a decision .

"I’ll hire additional employees . Can you show me the list?”

“I understand . Please wait a moment . ”

Isabella returned to her desk and her fingers moved quickly . Carack approached In-gong and asked in a small voice,

"Employees? Are you talking about someone like a gardener?”

"Yes, that is one example of an employee . ”

If they were simply gardeners or servants, he wouldn’t have to waste the merit value . In-gong wanted someone to manage the mansion when he wasn’t there .

"This is the list of employees who can move to 9th Prince’s mansion . ”

As Isabella’s fingers moved, a field of light filled with people’s names appeared . Once In-gong placed his finger on a name, the face and a simple profile were displayed separately .

'Uhh, I want someone to manage the mansion, so should I hire a professional butler?’

While playing Zephyr, there was a butler attached to the mansion so he didn’t need to hire one . Therefore, it was In-gong’s first time picking a butler .

‘Their abilities are similar . Should I do separate interviews?’

In-gong contemplated the list one by one .

“Oh, Prince . This person . Isn’t it the one from earlier?”

Carack’s thick finger was pointing to the bottom of the list . In-gong reflexively looked down to see a familiar name .

[Flora Sevensword]

[Butler/ Maid function available]

[Uniqueness: A follower of the goddess of dreams and shadows, Kayla]

‘This is it . ’

In-gong looked at Carack . Carack read his master’s mind and nodded quietly .

&

"It is great to see you again . "

Approximately 15 minutes later .

Flora greeted them outside the Merits Department but there was a little bit of confusion on her face .

In-gong smiled brightly and asked her to guide them to the mansion .

“I understand . I’ll take the lead . ”

She coolly took the lead just like before . In-gong said goodbye to Isabella and left the Merits Department .

Carack came out along with In-gong and chuckled at In-gong .

“What?”

"Prince, you really are a prince . ”

"Yes, so serve me well . ”

In-gong and Carack followed Flora down the corridor with pleased expressions . The distance to the new residence was far, so it was tiring to walk .

‘I’m not done with the schedule for today . ’

He still had to meet Caitlin in the evening .

In-gong didn’t intend to be locked inside his house .

This was the Demon King’ Palace . It was a place of opportunity where all the children of the Demon King were gathered .

‘Should I make them look at me?’

There was a sly smile on In-gong’s face .