Chapter 33: You Can Talk?

The atmosphere around the main square of Vex City suddenly grew noisy and crowded.

The new Vex City government stood by with extreme caution, nervousness, and the utmost politeness as they faced the Royal Grand Advisor, a man who wielded considerable authority.

In a short amount of time, the square had already filled with people. News of the royal entourage’s second official visit in such a short period had spread throughout the city like wildfire, sparking immense curiosity among its residents.

Everyone whispered among themselves, wondering what kind of grand event the royal court was preparing this time.

Several citizens who had heard Johan’s passionate storytelling at the restaurant earlier began piecing the information together.

"Could this announcement have something to do with Sir Kael? Just like that mercenary group said, this must be an official announcement from the royal court about his achievements!"

"Kael? You mean that handsome man who briefly took charge of the city and brought order to it?"

"It’s not just about managing the city, you fool! He’s the true hero who saved us from the terror of demons and that heretical cult!" another citizen exclaimed.

The news and rumors that Johan had embellished and exaggerated had now become deeply ingrained in the minds of the city’s residents.

Before the city’s high-ranking officials, Grand Advisor Velde furrowed his brow slightly as he listened to the new mayor’s verbal report.

The Vex City government official bowed awkwardly and whispered, "Please forgive us, Lord Velde... When we approached him, Sir Kael stated that he couldn’t attend the square because his wife had fallen ill at the inn. I tried to persuade him in every way I could, but he firmly refused."

Velde waved his hand once, signaling for the official to calm down.

"Never mind. Just leave him be."

Velde himself had seen Kael in person several months ago, when the King summoned the war heroes to the throne hall. He knew very well that the young man wasn’t the type to be dazzled by formal gatherings or simply obey other people’s orders.

Besides, before his departure, Princess Elara had given him special, confidential instructions not to pressure or force Kael to attend if he didn’t wish to.

More importantly, His Majesty the King himself had once instructed the royal officials to treat Kael with the respect he deserved.

Velde took a deep breath before confidently ascending the gold-carved wooden platform. He fixed his gaze on the sea of people before him, exuding the authority of a senior royal bureaucrat.

"Listen carefully, citizens of Vex City!" Velde’s booming voice echoed across the square. "I am Velde, the Royal Grand Advisor of the Kingdom of Leonheart, dispatched directly by His Majesty the King to deliver this extraordinary news to all of you, especially the people of Vex who have been saved from the threat of a brutal massacre at the hands of the Dark Mages!"

The square fell completely silent in an instant.

"Perhaps most of you don’t know him very well... He is neither a nobleman nor a Knight. He is a legendary former mercenary who once made history in the past by bringing down a Three-Star Knight alongside his comrades, winning numerous battles, and now... he has once again achieved a remarkable feat by foiling the wicked plans of the Dark Mages in this region!"

"With boundless courage, he slew hundreds of armored goblins, crushed the onslaught of a giant Orc, and annihilated a horde of Dark Mages without fear!"

Every citizen who heard this was utterly stunned. The shocking revelation made them realize just how great the danger that had once loomed over their heads truly was.

Velde raised the royal decree high above his head.

"For these extraordinary services! His Majesty the King and Princess Elara have officially bestowed the highest honorary title upon our hero: Orc Slayer, and have formally appointed him a Royal Knight of the Kingdom of Leonheart, serving directly under the princess’s faction! Not only that, but he has also been granted ownership of a fertile territory, a substantial fortune, and the full support of the royal court!"

Silence engulfed the square for several seconds... before the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers that seemed to split the sky!

"So... that man really is our true savior?!" a housewife shouted excitedly.

"Long live Sir Kael! He deserves every bit of that honor!"

At one corner of the square, Johan burst into delighted laughter as he threw his arms around his companions. Meanwhile, Loyd and Cherry, who happened to be caught in the middle of the crowd, exchanged glances, their eyes shining with pride.

However, Velde wasn’t finished speaking. He raised his hand once more, asking the crowd to quiet down for a moment.

"And not just him! The royal court has also not forgotten the bravery of Captain Cherry’s mercenary group, who fought on the front lines... Miss Cherry and Sir Loyd! In recognition of your courageous efforts to hold back the Dark Mages, the royal court has decided to award you financial rewards and compensation befitting your achievements, with a value far exceeding ordinary payment!"

The crowd’s attention immediately shifted.

Cherry covered her mouth with both hands, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks as the widest smile of her life spread across her face. The enormous losses from her recently bankrupt business would now be more than fully covered!

Beside her, Loyd behaved even more wildly. The young man laughed heartily with a sly expression, already imagining himself becoming one of the wealthiest young men in the city.

Far away from the bustling, jubilant city square...

Inside the warm, dimly lit room at the inn, Kael sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed. He was cradling Lizzy tenderly in his lap, holding his wife close as though she were a baby in need of extra warmth.

The cheers and commotion coming from the square made Kael raise one eyebrow. He glanced lazily out the window.

"What on earth is going on in the square? It’s so crowded... and so noisy that I can hear it all the way over here. Velde? What is he announcing?"

Lizzy, whose fever had gradually begun to subside even though her body still felt weak, rested her head comfortably against Kael’s broad chest. She gave a feeble shake of her head.

"I don’t know... Is there some kind of autumn festival today?"

"How could there be a festival in weather like this, right after a storm?" Kael murmured softly, affectionately stroking his wife’s back.

He was somewhat curious about the source of the commotion outside, but he had absolutely no intention of leaving his room to investigate.

Lizzy had been sick for two whole weeks. Although her coughing and sneezing had subsided, her body still sometimes felt warm at night, making her extremely clingy.

Suddenly, Kael’s attention shifted toward the corner of the room.

Near the wooden table sat a creature covered in thick black fur, its body now shrunken to roughly the size of a chubby puppy. It was Xavier.

Over the past several days, ever since Lizzy had fallen ill, the ancient wolf had frequently slipped in and out of the inn room through the window. Kael had deliberately allowed it to roam around without trying to drive it away.

Even so, Kael often felt uncomfortable because Xavier’s sharp gaze was constantly fixed on him, radiating such obvious hostility that it seemed as though the wolf held a personal grudge against him.

Kael had even found himself wondering inwardly: Did I make some terrible mistake that made this creature hate me so much?

Suddenly, an unfamiliar, deep, hoarse voice echoed directly inside Kael’s head. It didn’t travel through the air but instead reached his consciousness through pure telepathy.

"Human... It turns out you’re not as bad as I imagined. At first, I thought you were nothing more than a selfish man who knew only how to hurt this child..."

Kael jolted in shock. His eyes widened, and he immediately turned his head sharply toward the puppy-like creature in the corner.

W-What... Was that voice coming from inside your head just now? Kael responded through his thoughts, his expression filled with disbelief.

Xavier snorted softly, looking at Kael with a contemptuous yet somewhat relieved expression.

"Yes. It’s me. And don’t make such a stupid face, human. I’m speaking directly into your mind."