Arthfael: The Grinding Hero

Chapter 8. The King's Request

The Kingdom of Esteria, now ruled by King Galen, was located in the City of Evermore and was one of the four largest kingdoms in existence. The City of Evermore was known for its fertile plantation sources, and to protect the gardens from thieves who snuck into the Evermore region, Galen kept several S-class monsters that were released at night. Ogru, the Ogreking, was one of his monsters tasked with guarding the apple orchard in the back of the Esteria Palace.

Ogru's departure didn't make Galen sad because he still had many other S-level monsters like Banshee, Bloodfiend, Cryptcrawler, and Juggernaut. These monsters, of course, followed Galen's orders as the leader of the region. Even Arabella was close to the Juggernaut monsters who were tasked with guarding the wheat fields in the Evermore region.

"Ah, so refreshing!" exclaimed Arthfael just after he finished cleaning himself in a bathtub filled with warm water, after previously being unable to take a bath in the river for three days. Arthfael walked towards a closet in the room to see what clothes he could wear. As he opened it, Arthfael was amazed to see so many clothes inside.

Valentina, who had also finished bathing and cleaning herself, flew towards Arthfael who was selecting clothes to wear. "Can I use the clothes here?" Arthfael asked.

"If they're already here, that means these clothes can be used. You just have to choose clothes that fit your body size," replied Valentina.

Arthfael then took out several clothes that caught his attention and placed them on the bed. Starting from white to black clothes, Arthfael placed them all.

"Which one do you think is good for dinner?" asked Arthfael.

"Black seems very unsuitable. What about white?" Valentina suggested.

"Your taste is so strange. How about another color?" Arthfael asked.

Valentina snorted irritably, "Then why did you ask if you think my taste is strange, huh?!" Valentina exclaimed.

Arthfael focused on choosing the clothes in front of him and finally chose light blue clothes. "I think this one is suitable. What do you think?" he asked.

"Don't ask me!" Valentina replied before turning her face away.

Arthfael then put on the clothes he had chosen and walked towards the mirror to see his reflection. He turned around several times to make sure of his choice before finally agreeing with his own decision. He neatly put back the clothes he didn't choose into the closet and closed the door tightly.

"If there are women who serve me like they did last time, I don't think I need to choose the right clothes for me again." Arthfael muttered as he imagined what would happen if the ten women who approached him after the match served him again.

Valentina sighed, making Arthfael look at her.

"Why?" asked Arthfael, confused.

"Are you tempted by those women? They are just used as prizes. If you lose, you'll just have to wait for your burial schedule," Valentina replied, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"I know they're just prizes. But at least I'm surrounded by beautiful and sexy women for one night," Arthfael replied, imagining the women around him, making his cheeks flush.

"Now we know who the pervert is here," Valentina sneered.

Arthfael immediately looked sharply at Valentina, "What did you say?!"

Knock! Knock!

The sound of a knock on the door instantly made Arthfael and Valentina turn towards the source of the sound. Then the door opened and a serving woman approached them.

"Excuse me, Sir Arthfael and Miss Valentina. Your dinner is ready." she said.

Arthfael remembered William's message that the access to the dining room would be closed when the King arrived. Suddenly, Arthfael ran towards the servant, leaving Valentina behind.

"Let's go to the dining room now before the King arrives." Arthfael invited.

Valentina followed suit and quickly caught up with Arthfael, who had already walked ahead with the palace servant towards the dining room.

The Esteria Palace dining room was located in the central area of the palace, quite far from where Arthfael was, so he hastened his steps. Even the servant who had walked in front of him was left behind.

"Turn left, Sir!" the servant shouted, and Arthfael turned left immediately.

The servant's breath even became short because she had to walk quickly to keep up with Arthfael who was in front of her.

Finally, after covering a considerable distance, Arthfael, along with Valentina and the exhausted palace servant, arrived in the dining room area.

"Thank you for escorting me," said Arthfael.

The palace servant just nodded her head as she had to regulate her breathing.

At the dining table, Arabella was already sitting, waiting for everyone at the table. When she saw Arthfael and Valentina arrive, Arabella stood up.

"No need to stand, Your Highness," said Arthfael.

Arabella smiled and sat back in her place, then Arthfael sat in the seat provided for him. Even Valentina was given a small chair to eat together at the dining table.

Shortly after the arrival of Arthfael and Valentina, Galen and Calliope also arrived and took their seats. Galen sat right at the end of the dining table they occupied. The servants immediately approached them to pour water and serve the food.

Arthfael was surprised to see so much food served in front of him. There were even various types of meat dishes in front of him.

"Please enjoy." Galen said to Arthfael and Valentina.

Arthfael began his dinner and was amazed at the delicious Esteria Palace cuisine. Throughout his 25 years of life, Arthfael had never tasted such luxurious and delicious food.

"Do you like the food, Arthfael? Does it suit your taste?" Calliope asked.

Arthfael nodded his head, "It's very delicious. Thank you." Arthfael replied.

Dinner became quiet, and Galen occasionally looked at Arthfael. At first, Galen looked hesitant to say something, until finally, after finishing his dinner, Galen began to speak and looked at Arthfael.

"Arthfael, congratulations again on your victory. I never thought you could defeat Ogreking easily without even getting a scratch," said Galen.

Arthfael nodded his head shyly while smiling, "Thank you, King Galen," replied Arthfael.

"Actually, the reason we invited you here is that we want to ask for your help." Galen said to Arthfael, then he glanced at William. Understanding what his king meant, William asked the palace servants who were there to leave the dining room and let Galen speak with Arthfael. Until all the servants had left, only the royal family remained with Arthfael and Valentina.

"Arthfael." Galen called.

Galen rested his hands on the table, looking at Arthfael. Arthfael turned his gaze to Galen and seemed to be waiting for Galen's next words.

"As you may have heard, our son Frederick is in the area filled with Firebelcher monsters in the city of Ravenwood." Galen said.

Arthfael nodded his head in response, indicating that he had heard the news.

"But now, the Firebelchers in that area keep increasing, causing my son to become exhausted. In his last battle, he suffered quite a serious injury that left his left hand unusable," Galen said.

Arthfael was surprised to hear this, "Isn't there a Phoenix tear that can heal his hand?"

Galen shook his head, "Firebelcher is a monster with toxic fire power. Its fire contains magic that is difficult to find a cure for. Actually, my son could have used it. But the situation at that time was different, his left hand had to be cut off so that the poison of the fire would not spread to other parts of his body. And as you know, Phoenix tears can only heal wounds but cannot restore severed limbs," answered Galen.

"H-his hand was cut off?"

"It was necessary. If not, my son might have lost his life now. The Phoenix tears he brought were also insufficient and could not stop the spread of Firebelcher's poison in his body," said Galen.

Arthfael sighed. He could imagine Frederick's condition, who had to cut off his left arm himself to be saved from the Firebelcher poison that had begun to eat away at his left hand.

"If you are willing, would you go to Ravenwood to help our son? We would greatly appreciate it," said Galen very carefully, and his eyes hoped that Arthfael would agree to his request.

Arthfael exchanged glances with Valentina and Valentina nodded her head, then she flew and whispered to Arthfael through his ear.

"The more monsters you defeat, the faster you can level up," whispered Valentina.

Arthfael's eyes brightened when he heard it, he immediately nodded his head and looked at Galen, "Okay, King Galen. I agree to go to Ravenwood," said Arthfael.

Galen, Calliope, and Arabella who had been waiting for Arthfael's answer smiled happily. Arabella even stood up from her seat and hugged Arthfael.

"Thank you! Thank you!" said Arabella endlessly.

Calliope also hugged Galen and looked at Arthfael with joy.

Because Arthfael agreed to his offer, Galen immediately prepared what Arthfael needed before going to Ravenwood to join his son who was currently fighting there.