"Haha, King, don't you already have a guess in your heart? There are some things I simply cannot tell you,"
Granstar thought to himself.
I really didn't expect King Gazel to deduce so much from just a few clues. This king… he's no ordinary man when it comes to intellect.
Still, it's only a guess—if he were certain, he wouldn't speak so freely. Perhaps even he doubts his own conclusion.
In a situation where friend and foe are unclear, the less said, the better.
"Hero King, I won't disturb the tranquility of your palace any longer. To be honest, I'm quite concerned about my friend's current situation."
Rimuru should be arriving at the city gate by now. Granstar was simply looking for an excuse to slip away.
After speaking, he placed a hand over his chest, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.
"Hold it!"
King Gazel's sudden roar was filled with anger. His expression darkened, and the air grew heavy with pressure.
The surrounding guards responded instantly, weapons leveled at Granstar. The tension in the hall shot up like a drawn bowstring.
Looks like leaving quietly won't be so easy after all, Granstar mused bitterly.
"Hero King, are you planning to treat me to a meal? Then why stop me from leaving?"
Despite the tense atmosphere, Granstar still had the presence of mind to crack a joke.
King Gazel was momentarily speechless.
Still thinking about meals at a time like this?
"You dare speak so rudely before the King…" Anrietta, standing by, narrowed her eyes. Though her voice remained calm, her gaze was sharp and focused.
"Enough! Let's talk about you now."
"I've received some rather interesting reports lately. Apparently, a certain male elf has committed two crimes within my kingdom."
"This so-called 'Succubus Who Disrupts Public Order' and 'Monster Thief Who Descended from the Sky'... that's you, isn't it?"
His eyes glinted as he added with a smirk,
"If you can't give me a satisfactory explanation, you just might be invited to a feast after all."
Clearly, the last remark was laced with threat more than hospitality.
Granstar blinked, caught off guard.
Wait, I'm that well-known already? And what are these ridiculous titles supposed to mean?
His expression darkened.
If you can't come up with a decent nickname, maybe don't give one at all. These dwarves…
"It's true I took a monster from a subjugation squad, but I offered compensation. As for 'disrupting public order'? That's just slander."
He spoke in the same calm tone as before. King Gazel was clearly the type to seize on minor issues and make a big deal of them—this wasn't going to be simple.
Sure enough, the king's expression shifted. His voice took on a more serious, even admiring, tone.
"I can sense the immense magic power inside you. It's frightening—enough that I must take you seriously."
"Among all my elite soldiers and even the most powerful legions, I doubt any could defeat you."
His words were laden with intrigue and interest.
"Someone as powerful as you, wasting away in the Jura Forest? That's a terrible waste of talent!"
"Come—join me!"
King Gazel made no attempt to hide his admiration or his desire to recruit Granstar. He extended the offer plainly.
And then, he dropped the real bombshell.
"I'll even entrust you with command of the Flying Knight Order—my most elite force. What do you say?"
When King Gazel spoke, the surrounding soldiers were visibly shocked.
"Your Majesty, how can you—"
Even Anrietta hadn't anticipated this decision.
No one had expected their king to take the initiative to invite a stranger of unknown origin to join their ranks—let alone entrust him with command of the elite Flying Knight Order.
The Flying Knight Order was the pride of the kingdom, its most powerful military force. Every member held B-rank strength or higher.
Yet King Gazel's decision wasn't based solely on Granstar's formidable personal strength.
There were two other crucial factors influencing his choice.
The first was Granstar's origin—the Jura Forest. Its strategic importance was undeniable. Ever since the disappearance of the Storm Dragon Veldora, countless nations had begun to cast greedy eyes on it. Should the need arise, Gazel could use Granstar's presence as a pretext to justify a military claim over the region.
The second reason was Granstar's identity as an elf. Compared to other magical creatures, Gazel held a particular fondness for elves. After all, dwarves themselves were considered close kin—half-elves, in a sense.
Granstar's strikingly handsome face revealed genuine surprise as he looked at the hand extended by the Hero King. Was this truly an invitation to join the Armed Nation of Dwargon?
It seemed unbelievable.
Even though he was tempted by the immense power of the Pegasus Legion...
"Hero King," Granstar said, his voice calm but resolute, "I'm afraid I must decline. I have always pursued a life of freedom and self-determination. Long ago, I made a vow—to live only as I choose."
He stepped back slightly.
"And so, Hero King, I will not submit to anyone."
His refusal came without hesitation. As tempting as King Gazel's offer was, nothing could compare to remaining by Rimuru's side.
"...Is that so?"
A trace of disappointment flashed in King Gazel's eyes as he slowly withdrew his outstretched hand.
Rising from his throne with steady grace, he now resembled a beast stirring from slumber.
Clad in close-fitting armor that accentuated his sturdy dwarven build, the Hero King stood tall.
"In that case, Elf... I may have to test your strength myself."
His eyes flashed with sharp light, and a terrifying wave of magic surged toward Granstar.
Granstar's ice-blue pupils narrowed slightly at the challenge.
He hadn't expected the Hero King to engage him personally. Things were escalating in an unpredictable direction.
Feeling King Gazel's magic pressure bearing down on him, Granstar responded in kind—releasing his full magical aura without reservation.
The palace instantly became a battlefield of oppressive force. One aura, black and regal—radiating overwhelming authority. The other, ice-blue—cold and domineering.
The two forces collided in the air, creating an invisible storm.
Dwarven soldiers nearby struggled to breathe under the sheer weight of the clashing energies.
And this... was only a preliminary exchange.
These two... were monsters.
Even Anrietta was stunned. She hadn't expected Granstar's magic to rival that of his king.