Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 404: Vassal Brod

Brod, who was still lying on Iris’ lap, was gradually getting healed thanks to Iris’ power, ‘King’s Warmth’. By the end of it, he had mostly recovered from his injuries. Brod coughed in embarrassment as he lifted himself off of Iris’ lap. But, despite the embarrassment, the two were smiling brightly at each other.

“I’ll go and help him now.”

Iris nodded before asking, “You’ve seen him, right? What kind of person is he?”

“…He might be a foreigner but he’s a trustworthy man. I saw plenty of things from him.”

Mercenary King Brod, with almost 200 years of experience, was very confident in his eye for people and how he assessed them. He could tell what the person was like as an individual.

“He’s a very strange man.”

The boy, who had eaten the same steak that Iris ate earlier, smiled brightly. His smile was like that of a child’s, pure and bright.

“And? What else?”

Brod wondered why Iris kept on asking about the boy. Was Iris also aware that the boy risked everything to save her life?

“He’s different from me. He looks like he cares deeply for his people.”

That was right. He cared deeply for his people. The boy constantly looked outside of the room, his face filled with concern while he cooked earlier.

Iris smiled, “Sir Brod.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Iris’ voice was different from when she asked him about the boy. It was now filled with dignity and solemnity. Brod knelt on one knee and looked at her seriously.

“Live for him from here on out.”

“What do you mean by that…!” Brod’s eyes widened as he shouted in a fluster. He thought that they would live together for the rest of their lives after they had confirmed their love for each other. Yet now, she was telling him to live for someone else? He could not understand at all.

“Don’t deny yourself with what you truly want, Sir Brod. We both know that you still want to go further and reach higher places. I’m the only reason why you came back to this place.”

Brod became silent at her words.

She was right, there were a lot of things that he had experienced in the God’s Empire and he was only forced to come back because of Iris’ situation! In fact, he had been truly reluctant to leave and reminded himself that he had to return to protect Iris.

Iris was aware of this and did not want to be a hindrance to him. However, even if Brod felt reluctant to come back, that was then and this was now. He did not want to part ways with her now that they were together. He wanted to protect her with his sword, just like what he promised her all those years ago.

“But…”

Iris interjected before he could even finish his words, “Sir Brod.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Iris’ voice was solemn and dignified, yet there was an unmistakable tremor beneath it, “I command you, in the name of your Highness. Protect Food God Minhyuk and his territory, and fulfill your dreams of creating the most powerful Empire.”

On top of that, Iris’ reasoning was sound and valid.

“I will also engage in diplomatic discussions with them. I will make sure to give them a lot of help.”

This was an order in Iris’ capacity as Queen. Even though Brod wanted to refute her so badly, his trembling heart betrayed him. All he could do was remain silent at her order. Mercenary King Brod was a man of great ambition. It was a waste for him to live in the peaceful lands of Rocard Kingdom.

In the end, Iris said, “I love you, Brod.”

***

Brod looked up at Minhyuk as he knelt down on one knee. This man was his and Iris’ benefactor. He felt at ease with him. For some reason, Brod felt like he could achieve anything as long as he stayed with him. It was not just because of his promise with Iris. He himself wanted to place his bet on Minhyuk.

Minhyuk did not hesitate for a long time and agreed to it.

[You have accepted Mercenary King Brod as your vassal.]

[You have gained 300 REP.]

[All of the stats of the troops in both Valhalla and Atlas Territories will increase by 10%.]

[Mercenary King Broad is the widely recognized king of millions of mercenaries all over the world. He will do his best to make the Atlas and Valhalla Troops the strongest in the land.]

(Brod)

Rank: Supreme NPC

Type: Vassal

Level: 682

Attack: 7,559

Defense: 4,683

Special Abilities:

?Passive Skill: Dreaming Genius

?Active Skill: Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship

?Active Skill: Continent’s Tyrant

Potential: 115

Experience Value: 18% / 100%

‘Crazy…! He’s way stronger than Conir and Aruvel?!’

Conir was the Sword Saint while Aruvel was hailed as the Demon World’s Great Sage. Both of their powers were already beyond anyone’s imagination. However, Brod was more powerful than them. Then, Minhyuk looked at Brod’s passive skill, ‘Dreaming Talent’, in contemplation.

(Dreaming Talent)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects: Dreaming Talent. As long as you have the passion for something, you will be able to reach the pinnacle.?

Description: Mercenary King Brod has been honing his swordsmanship for close to 200 years. Although he is not aware, he always craves to learn something new. As long as he chooses something, he will be able to reach the pinnacle of that.

Minhyuk was in awe after seeing the words ‘he will be able to reach the pinnacle’ in the description. After some thought, Minhyuk realized that it had been quite some time since he last accepted a vassal. He started to wonder about what task he should give him, to the point that his expression turned grave. Brod, who saw the solemn expression on his face, looked at him in doubt.

“Please stand up, Brod.”

“Yes, my lord,” Brod answered as he stood up. He knew that Minhyuk would give him his orders now. He felt huge expectations for Minhyuk’s orders. After all, Brod could make the entire continent tremble in fear! He was Mercenary King Brod!

Meanwhile, Minhyuk continued to ponder deeply about the task that he wanted to give Brod. Brod could tell that the man in front of him was a very outstanding and eye-catching man.

‘That’s right. He’s the man that I believe is most suited to become an emperor! What kind of task will he give me?!’

Then, Minhyuk said, “Brod, I hope that you’ll be able to take on this important task in Atlas Territory from here on out.”

“Please give me your orders, my lord.”

The scene in front of them was the scene of a lord and his kneeling vassal. Brod had shown his firm will and determination by killing tens of thousands of undead, which Minhyuk answered in kind by giving him a very important mission. It was like picture-perfect scenery.

Minhyuk spoke, “You will be in charge of the territory’s livestock.”

“As you ordered! I will now be in charge of the territory’s livestock…! Huh?” Brod stopped in his tracks. He was in doubt for a moment.

‘I’m in charge of… what? Livestock means animals like pigs, cattle and chicken, right?’

“Li… livestock?”

“Yes. This is a very important task. Pigs, cattle and chicken will taste differently depending on how they are raised. Fufufufufufu!”

Something was wrong here. Was this man, his lord, not aware of who he was and what kind of existence he was? At that moment, a few people appeared and surrounded Minhyuk. Brod could feel a huge amount of pressure from these people.

‘They’re on par with me in terms of strength and power. So, these are the key figures around the lord, the knights of Atlas territory!’

The old man’s gait and posture was fierce and unusual, while the aura on the boy’s sword was suffocating. Brod could even hear the cries of the enemies that it had cut down. In fact, one of the men that stood with Minhyuk had an overwhelming amount of holy power. The man’s holy power was, in fact, comparable to an Athenean Envoy’s holy power. And…

‘De… demon race…?!’

My goodness! A foreigner had actually taken a member of the demon race under his command! This was an extremely extraordinary feat! That was right. Such an outstanding lord could not have asked Brod to raise livestock.

‘He must have made an error. I’m sure he’s just exhausted from the long battle.’

That was right. Brod convinced himself that Minhyuk was just exhausted. His exhaustion must have definitely made it hard for him to give him a task.

Then, Minhyuk started to introduce the people around him, “Ah. This man here is Grandpa Ben. He’s the territory’s barista. The coffee that he makes tastes absolutely divine.”

‘Wh… what?! You’re telling me that he’s the one in charge of making coffee in the territory?!’?Brod thought in shock.

Grandpa Ben looked at Brod kindly and said, “Hoho. Boy, I heard that you’ll be the one in charge of the livestock? Let’s have a cup of coffee some time. I’ve been researching squirrel luwak coffee and I assure you, the taste is excellent!”

‘Sq… squirrel luwak coffee?!’

Then, Minhyuk introduced another one, “Ah, this man right here is our territory’s bald heal… no, paladin, Sir Corr.”

“Hello.”

Brod could tell by the man’s greeting that he was normal! But then, his next words almost caused Brod to faint.

“Hoo? I can see signs of baldness in your head. If you join our Talmor Religion, I will make sure to let your hair grow well! Fufufufu! Grow hair, grow!!!”

“…”

Was that the end? Of course not.

“This man from the demon race is the rare erotic author, Aruvel.”

“Nice to meet you. So, you’re the Mercenary King… I’m very curious, how hot your bed was while you traveled the entire continent? It must have squeaked strongly!!! How many beauties have you taken in your arms?!”

“…”

“Ah, this boy right here is Conir.”

“Conir! Conir is good at cooking ramyeon! Conir is very happy to meet you! Brod should definitely eat at Conir’s ramyeon store!”

“…”

That was the exact moment that Brod realized that Minhyuk did not make a mistake. That was right, Mercenary King Brod, the King of all the mercenaries in the continent and a Supreme NPC, was being tasked to take care of the livestock in the territory!

‘Your… Your Highness Iris… Please, please save me…’

However, Iris, who was watching Brod from afar, thought when she saw his unchanging expression, ‘He's still expressionless, but I’m sure he’s very happy! Go, Brod! Write a new chapter in history with your new friends and colleagues!’

***

Minhyuk watched as Iris, who was riding on a white horse, approached him with the people of Rocard Kingdom.

Rocard Kingdom was clearly the smallest among all of the small countries. However, the main reason why they became a kingdom was because of their outstanding power and abilities. Of course, this power was like a small gust of wind against tens of thousands of undead, but the fact that they had outstanding powers and abilities remained unchanged.

If they chose to go out and show themselves to the world, there was no doubt that their finances would soar and surpass that of the other kingdoms. This was all thanks to their special power, crops and ingredients! They might be a small country, but the power and influence that they could exert could easily surpass an ordinary kingdom by more than twice, or even ten times! And the queen of this kingdom, Iris, personally appeared and stood in front of Minhyuk.

Then, Iris said, “Our Rocard Kingdom vows to engage in friendly relations with you and your territory.”

Her words were very shocking. The first one to suggest cooperation and friendly relations was Queen Iris! Of course, this made Minhyuk very happy. However, Iris was aware that Minhyuk was not a ‘king’ but a ‘lord’. A lord meant that he was a noble that belonged to a kingdom, or an empire.

“It seems like your qualifications are still not yet enough. So, I, and my Rocard Kingdom, will help you. However, I want you to help us too.”

Iris smiled softly as she looked at her people.

“We have secretly acquired a territory in the Northern Continent, and we want to build our new land and home there. After all, we have already lived a long time disconnected from the rest of civilization. We need protection and we want to entrust this to you. We will, of course, do our best to cooperate with you and comply with your requests. Although we’re saying that we want to create an alliance with you, the truth is we want to be under your umbrella and receive protection. So, in exchange for this protection, I will delegate to you a huge part of authority to our Rocard Kingdom.”

“…!”

Shock. Minhyuk was literally shocked! The words that she uttered were something that was beyond Minhyuk’s expectations. Then, the notifications began to ring.

[You have received 3,957 members of the Hybrid Race.]

[With Rocard Kingdom’s abilities to cultivate special crops, the cultivation rate of Atlas and Valhalla Territories will increase by 60%.]

[With Rocard Kingdom’s outstanding military force, the military force of Atlas and Valhalla Territories will increase by 40%.]

[You and Queen Iris will have a 5:5 ownership of the Ingredient Heaven.]

[You will now be able to grow special crops.]

[If you agree with Queen Iris’ proposal, you will be able to meet the requirements for building a kingdom.]

[You have met the required number of subjects.]

[Once your ally, the Rocard Kingdom, establishes a foothold in the Northern Continent, you will be able to annex some of their territories. With those territories on top of Atlas and Valhalla, you will be able to meet the territory requirement for building a kingdom.]