The Knight King Who Returned with God

Chivalry (3)

Hunter Association Headquarters, Korea.

The meeting of senior officials had only one topic of discussion.

"Leon Dragonia Lionheart… why is his name so long? Anyway, he appeared in a black-ranked gate…"

"And you're telling me he beheaded a high demon in one strike? Is this report even real?"

"Survivors' power levels vary greatly, so it's not impossible. We've seen cases like the Heavenly Demon or the Slaughter Saint before."

"Anything else? A god? Wasn't that just magic making crops grow?"

"He also assisted in the Honam Plain gate raid?"

"So he's combat-oriented? That's a relief."

The black-ranked gate that had appeared in the middle of Seoul had been kept under information control, passing by without much public alarm.

The real issue was that a survivor had emerged from that gate.

The Association was approaching this survivor with extreme caution.

"Manager Kim Jin-Soo, I hear you've been observing him for the past few days, even working together on the Honam Plain raid."

Hunter Association President Oh Kang-Hyuk addressed Manager Kim Jin-Soo.

"Yes, sir."

"What kind of person is he?"

Kim Jin-Soo hesitated for an unusually long time before answering.

"I'm… not sure."

His response was disappointingly vague given how much thought he had put into it.

"Not sure?"

"He's not a villain… if anything, he's quite righteous."

That much he could say with confidence.

"But his values are very different from ours. He feels like a medieval lord…"

"This is going to be a headache."

"It would've been better if he was at least somewhat modernized."

Their concerns were justified. Many survivors had integrated into society, but just as many had not.

The lower their civilization's level, the higher their original status in their world, or if there were significant racial differences, the harder it was for them to adapt.

Some survivors caused countless societal problems because they couldn't fit in.

If they were just a nuisance, they could be ignored. But many of them were as powerful as Awakened hunters.

In short, even if a lunatic appeared, the real problem was that the lunatic's sword was too damn sharp.

"Hmm… we should carefully accommodate his beliefs and customs as much as possible."

"Yes, but surprisingly, he's also adapting more smoothly than expected. He seems to understand our culture to some extent."

That was because Leon was originally from Earth.

Since he was pretending to be a complete otherworlder, he let some things slide when necessary.

Unaware of this, Manager Kim Jin-Soo simply thought Leon was relatively tolerant.

In terms of ability, Leon was remarkably impressive.

"Tell me more about this part where he 'summoned a god.'"

Leon had performed a miracle during the Honam Plain gate raid. A personal YouTuber had even caught it on a live stream before the video was taken down to prevent panic.

"Yes, he possessed a straw doll with the goddess of fertility and life, Demera. He seemingly had a direct conversation with her."

It was captured on video. Though no sound came from the straw doll, it had undeniably moved.

"Wasn't it just some kind of spirit magic?"

"A goddess? That's ridiculous."

Most of the executives dismissed the idea outright. Gods? That was absurd.

"But the evidence—"

"Maybe it was just some magical effect? Saying a god blessed the rice to grow, that's just nonsense."

"If demons exist, why wouldn't gods?"

Opinions within the Association were divided, but one conclusion was unanimous.

"That rice… its effects are undeniable."

Thanks to Leon's blessing, the rice had grown rapidly. Even more shocking, the land, previously contaminated by mana, had been instantly purified as the rice grew.

The purification alone was astounding, but upon appraisal, every grain of rice was classified as a rare-tier item.

The meeting room erupted again.

"Rice that heals cancer patients and provides long-lasting buffs…?"

This ability was just as shocking as Leon's combat power—perhaps even more so.

Even potions crafted by master alchemists only lasted about three hours and were so expensive that even major guilds used them sparingly.

But this rice not only lasted longer than potions, it could even be stacked up to three times.

If used wisely, hunters raiding gates could maintain buffs with just one or two servings.

"Approach Leon Dragonia… whatever his name is, and ask for his opinion on this."

"Understood. Also, about financial support for the survivor…"

"Maximum allowance. Give him whatever he wants. We must secure him as one of our own."

Oh Kang-Hyuk made the decision but felt uncertain.

Since the Phoenix Guild had already contacted Leon, the information was no longer exclusive to the Association. At the very least, Phoenix Guild knew about Leon's abilities.

It was only a matter of time before the top ten guilds caught wind of him.

Could the Association compete with them?

Oh Kang-Hyuk sighed as he reviewed the remaining budget for the year.

"By the way… there's one thing the survivor requested."

"What is it? Whatever it is, grant it if possible."

"Well…"

Kim Jin-Soo hesitated before reluctantly speaking.

"He wants to meet the President of Korea."

"Huh? Why?"

"He says since he'll be staying here for a while, it's only natural for a king to greet another king…"

"???"

Four days had passed since Leon returned to Earth.

During that time, he had been staying in a five-star hotel suite in Seoul. The Hunter Association had initially offered him a lodging facility they operated, but he had immediately rejected it in anger.

"How can a king sleep in a room without a single piece of art? This is unacceptable!"

In short, the place lacked dignity.

He demanded a room with the finest bed, servants available at all times, and art to admire.

In the middle of the night, Ha-Ri had run around securing a five-star hotel suite and decorating it with paintings and ceramics from the hotel's collection as a compromise.

"Your Majesty… please, just go to sleep!"

At 2 AM, Ha-Ri, mimicking a historical drama, begged him while kneeling in desperation.

"Hmm…"

Leon decided to relent. It would be beneath him to torment an official too much.

The next morning, Ha-Ri personally handled his room service.

"Your Majesty, this is Deputy Ha-Ri."

—Enter.

She opened the door with her room card and pushed in a tray with breakfast.

"Have you rested well, Your Majesty?"

"Indeed."

She carefully arranged the dishes.

"Here is your meal, Your Majestyyyyy…"

The breakfast was a luxurious 100,000-won galbi set, with premium Korean beef marinated and grilled to perfection.

"Have you eaten?" Leon asked.

"Ah, not yet."

"One must eat when they have the chance. Don't starve yourself."

"Ah, yes…"

Just as she was about to leave and grab a sandwich from the café downstairs…

"Sit."

Leon gestured for her to sit.

"Y-Your Majesty…!"

Was he really offering to share a meal?

Tears welled in Ha-Ri's eyes as she reached for her chopsticks.

"What are you doing?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Why haven't you prepared the ribs for me?"

"…Weren't you offering to share…?"

"What kind of king dines with a commoner?"

"Ugh…"

Of course. Ha-Ri sighed as she picked up a knife to separate the meat from the bones.

Later, as they arrived at an upscale officetel arranged by the Hunter Association…

A man in a suit approached.

"Ah~ Deputy Ha-Ri from the Hunter Association?"

"Who are you?"

"Ahaha, what a coincidence. I'm Park Jong-Chan, director of Dujeong Future Foods."

"D-Dujeong Group?!"

A major conglomerate. But why was one of their directors waiting for them?

"Ah… this must be the 'survivor' I've heard so much about. Nice to meet you, Leon Dragonia Lionheart."

As he extended his hand for a handshake, Leon frowned in disbelief.

"A merchant… offering a handshake?"