A well-built man walked out of the dungeon by himself. Although his body was full of blood, many looked at him like an expensive masterpiece. His handsome face, sexy body, and strong aura made him look very attractive. Some reporters approached him after seeing the dungeon he came out of disappear.
One of the reporters asked, "Kang Seongje-ssi, will you continue to raid dungeons by yourself?"
The person who had just raid alone, Kang Seongje, replied arrogantly. "Of course, who else in South Korea can destroy a dungeon alone like me? Well, not even the S rank, hahahaha! No one can boss me around!"
The reporters there nodded in agreement. Some even showed sparkling eyes. Kang Seongje raised his chin even higher. However, someone chimed in.
"Really? Without your father, aren't you just an innocent man who does what your father says?"
The voice made Kang Seongje's smile fade. He looked around for whoever said that. However, the reporters seemed to believe what that person said.
The reporters left him alone while grumbling. Kang Seongje tried to call out to them. "Hey, come back here!"
He felt his body heat up. His shoulders shrank and his exotic skin paled. His muscular, scarred arms instantly became small and beautiful. She also held her hair which was suddenly neatly arranged.
Kang Seongje walked over to the puddle on the street, looking at his reflection. He saw his body transform into a man who looked beautiful and kind.
"Damn, what kind of bad appearance is this? Where did my muscles go?"
He felt the surroundings suddenly quiet. A cold feeling settled in his mind as a large shadow appeared in the water's reflection. The shadow of a large body with two very creepy heads.
As he turned around, he could see a dragon with a huge two-headed body behind him. Of course he was shocked!
"You bastard dragon. You're the one who killed me, now accept this!"
Kang Seongje wanted to bring out his skills as a fighter. However, his hand, which was ready to slaughter the dragon, did not experience the usual increase in energy power.
The dragon seemed to be laughing at Kang Seongje. He is also realized that his strength wasn't showing up because his current body sucked. Therefore, the dragon extended one head towards him, as if to say something.
"Arthur Rudolf."
That man looked confused by the name that came out of the dragon. Until the dragon made another sound by saying that name.
"Arthur Rudolf!"
***
"Arthur Rudolf!"
Arthur, whose name was called, woke up as the voice managed to disturb his sleep. He rubbed his ears, which were sore from the voice.
'Ugh, that shitty dream.'
"What are you doing here?"
A woman in a different-looking maid outfit called him by his full name. The woman seemed unfazed by Arthur's noble status.
Since Arthur had just woken up, he was a little unfocused to see who woke him up. However, when he saw the maid, he was immediately annoyed.
"Wake me up slowly. It's a good thing I didn't attack you because you looked like an enemy." Arthur said with annoyance.
The maid showed a look of displeasure. "You should know that this room cannot be entered at will. It belongs to Mr. Sandy."
Arthur's brow furrowed. Wasn't Sandy his younger brother? Then, why was the servant so bold with him? He knew nothing about Duke Rudolf's family other than being a neutral faction that only appeared once in the novel.
As Kang Seongje, he felt humiliated by that maid's attitude. It felt like he wanted to retaliate a bit for the impolite maid's words.
"This is my brother's work room. In a family, we should have freedom. Besides, madam, why are you being so rude-"
"Young Duke!"
Sir Daniel stopped Arthur's words. That green-haired man showed a bright expression like an idiot. He brought several thick books that were cradled in his hands.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Young Duke. I was looking for the former duke's journal in Captain Hone's study. Oh, Madam Hone? Good morning!"
Seeing that the maid was there, Sir Daniel greeted him. Even though Sir Daniel's position was higher than the maid, why did he look so respectful?
Sir Daniel's appearance made the maid who was called Madam Hone immediately nod and excused herself to leave. Not forgetting to change the expression that previously looked contemptuous, to expressionless.
Arthur felt there was something strange about that woman. He expressed his thoughts to Sir Daniel. "Hey, why does that person look like she's eating dog poop when she sees me?"
Sir Daniel almost choked. "My goodness, Young Duke, watch what you say!"
Then, that strange man replied, "Perhaps because Sandy is the son of his late cousin? Madam Hone loved Sir Sandy like her own son. Eum ... I don't know if I can say this or not. Sir Sandy came to the front lines of this war because he wanted you to be his next successor—"
Brugh!
The books Sir Daniel was holding fell over. His hand shot up to his face. Sir Daniel stopped his own words by covering his mouth.
'Would Sandy be a knight to yield to me from the position of successor?'
Arthur got up from his position half leaning against Sandy's desk. He walked over to Sir Daniel and crouched down, picking up the books.
"What are you looking at, fool? Help carry this book too. You dropped it yourself!"
Sir Daniel immediately rushed to help pick up some of the scattered papers, while Arthur picked up the notebooks. He could see that there were some letters he had never seen before. However, somehow he could read the writing.
Arthur handed the notebooks back to Sir Daniel. Standing face to face, Arthur realized that he was shorter than Sir Daniel. He regretted his ideal body as Kang Seongje.
"Captain Hone ... who is he?"
Arthur asked as he saw Sir Daniel checking the stack of books to see if they matched the number when he picked them up earlier. Sir Daniel replied, "The knight captain here. The one who leads the patrols every night."
Upon hearing that, Arthur recalled yesterday's embarrassing incident at the tree. Apparently the person Sir Daniel was talking with yesterday was Captain Hone. It should have been an authoritative person like Captain Hone who was his personal knight. Not a careless person like Sir Daniel.
"In that case, what is the relationship between Captain Hone and the maid? It can't be a married couple because Captain Hone looks my age." Arthur asked again.
"Ah, Captain Hone is the son of Madam Hone. He has also separated from the royal family like his mother, don't worry."
Hearing that answer. Arthur became even more curious. However, that was not his priority at the moment. He sent Sir Daniel out of the room with him.
***
"I'm glad you've been able to adapt to the environment here, my son. If there is a chance, I will give you more luxurious decorations for your room."
'Luxury decorations my ass. The current decorations are already very luxurious. This duke spoils his son too much.'
Arthur was now sitting with Duke Rudolf at the tea table near the garden. As it was late afternoon and the sun was not too strong, Duke Rudolf used to walk around the garden to enjoy his solitude.
At that time, he was just walking as usual. However, he saw his son reading a book on a park bench. Duke Rudolf approached him and invited him to have tea like now.
Arthur refused at first. However, he remembered that he had to get some information about the novel. Maybe by approaching the Duke, he could get some information about the kingdom, especially about the duke's family.
"Your Grace, does being a duke always have to be obedient to the royal family?" Arthur asked in a quite friendly tone.
However, the friendly tone apparently made Duke Rudolf unhappy. However, that middle-aged man still answered him.
"My son, our family has the blood of Marithus Kingdom members flowing in our bodies. Standing alone is enough. We just need to live quietly managing our own territory, without having to follow the power struggles or talk of other nobles."
'Oh, apparently the neutral Duke Rudolf can't get any influence from the royal family? That's a relief.'
Arthur asked again, "In that case, does the Marithus Kingdom have a Crown Prince now?"
Instead of answering him, Duke Rudolf's expression grew murkier. The middle-aged man looked very sad. Why, what had gone wrong?
Ting!
An exclamation-marked box flashed above Duke Rudolf's head. Immediately Arthur furtively pointed at the box.
--
[Character Information]
Name: Frederick Rudolf
Age: 58 years old
Occupation : Grand Duke of the Western Region of the Kingdom of Marithus
Affinity :
- Neutral Faction Leader
- Son of the Fifth Prince of the 9th King Gladias
- Cousin of Crown Prince Xavier Gladias
- Husband of the sister of Queen Gladias the Xth
Remarks :
Very fond of his first child as he resembles his first wife.
Become a 'Character' to get more information.
--
'What the hell is this? That bastard Crown Prince Xavier Gladias is my uncle?'
[]
'-ssi' : the commonly honorifics. Usually used for people with visibly similar speech levels.