I Became a Sick Nobleman-Chapter 195: Meet the King

[I extend my gratitude to all who have generously donated and shown interest in the world of ‘Rentra.’ As outlined in the announcement, there is a crucial matter that requires your attention. This is not merely a web novel; it serves as a depiction of real events unfolding in an existing world, presented through the medium of a web novel. I come to you as one who upholds the order of Rentra.]

‘What does this mean?’ Ruel found himself genuinely perplexed. ‘Did I truly read such a notice?’

[Donations represent contributions made out of fondness and admiration for the respective narrative. Hence, I view them as a measure of those who hold Rentra dear. As mentioned, Rentra is in need of your support. I humbly request that only those willing to aid the actual world of Rentra in “SSS-Class Knight” offer donations. I regret not being able to delve deeper into the concept of assistance. However, I assure you this is no jest, so please deliberate carefully before making any donations. The current donation ranking stands as follows:]

The mouse swiftly scrolled down.

Hwang Siwoo

.

.

The mouse halted.

If It’s Fun, I Cry.

‘That’s my nickname!’

His own laughter echoed, filled with delight. Observing himself laughing without comprehending its significance made him genuinely consider a reality check. 14th place. That was his current standing. What did that number signify? It meant that Ruel Setiria had changed at least 13 times already.

***

Ruel opened his eyes to a soft, poking sensation.

—Ruel!

Leo greeted him as usual.

Ruel caressed Leo while surveying his surroundings. Outside the window, a fierce snow storm raged. It was a location he had visited once before.

The Ice Palace. Ruel wondered how he had ended up here after collapsing, a hollow laugh escaping him as memories slowly resurfaced. How could he have forgotten that memory? ‘No, it wasn’t a memory lapse; the king erased it.’ Now, the memories began to resurface gradually.

‘SSS-Class Knight’ garnered significant popularity, largely due to the donation notice. Initially, the novel didn’t gain much traction. The roughly 10 chapters revolving around ‘Ruel Setiria’ were to blame. A frail nobleman. Not only was he a feeble character in a story in need of strength, but he wasn’t even the protagonist.

Ironically, it was this nearly ten-chapter stretch that sparked discussions about the novel. With each shift in the donation rankings, the story of Ruel Setiria evolved. This was a fact unveiled by so-called ‘dead readers,’ and as past chapter captures circulated, more readers began to validate this.

‘I too stumbled upon that detail about the novel.’

In reality, with each change in the donation rankings, not just Ruel Setiria’s actions but even minor details changed. Yet the outcome remained the same. No matter what he did, he ended up dead.

‘It was just the author playing with the settings, saying that if people really sent donations, they would become Ruel Setiria. There was a lot of talk about that.’

In the end, it was a truth that could not be verified.

‘SSS-Class Knight’ was just one of numerous novels, and Ruel Setiria was merely a supporting character.

“Ha.” Ruel let out a sigh.

Who would have believed what was stated in the notice from the outset? He had donated solely because he found the novel enjoyable. To enrich its narrative. To see it through to the end. Yet,

‘In the end, I was forced to become Ruel Setiria.’

Ruel shut his eyes briefly before reopening them. He pondered why these memories were resurfacing now. It was difficult to know what the king’s intentions were. However, the opportunity to learn this truth, among others, had now arrived.

“Cassion.”

“How are you feeling?” Cassion asked as he appeared from the shadows of the bed.

“How many days have passed?”

“About three days.”

‘Three days,’ Ruel mused, feeling a sense of time slipping away.

Anxiety crept into his voice as he pressed, “What’s the current status?”

“There are accusations circulating in Leponia that suggest Cyronian and Kran are manipulating you to conceal the truth of the incident,” Cassion reported.

Ruel felt relieved that the situation hadn’t deteriorated and was still progressing.

“The relationship among the three countries is more strained than anticipated. They say that even in the Red Ash, they’re running around like crazy trying to restore the relationship between the three countries.”

“And Treitol?” Ruel inquired further.

“He’s expected to reach the neutral zone by today,” Cassion said, checking Ruel’s condition.

“Additionally, Tyson-nim has temporarily set up a similar barrier for the Tonisk Empire. Nehils confirmed that the Red Ash observed anomalies in the empire and retreated after inspecting the barrier.”

“They weren’t discovered?” Ruel sought confirmation.

“Yes, it appears so,” Cassion affirmed.

As Cassion relayed information, Ruel inhaled Breath. The Red Ash’s silence unnerved him. Was their lack of action deliberate? Or were they aiming for something else? His unease deepened.Rising from his seat with Cassion’s assistance, Ruel steadied himself.

“What about Aris?”

Though it seemed the magic knights had returned to Leponia through the portal, Aris was nowhere to be seen.

“Aris is currently standing outside the door. He’s probably…,” Cassion trailed off. Aris was probably waiting. “I’ll call for Aris.”

“No, I’m going out.”

Having come to the Ice Palace, shouldn’t he meet the ‘king’?

“Have a meal before you go,” Cassion advised.

“I don’t think I could eat anything right now.”

Ruel exhaled lightly to calm his anxious mind. To waste three days sleeping during such an important moment felt frustrating.

“Do you know where the ‘king’ is located?” Cassion questioned.

“No, not at all.”

Ruel furrowed his brow. He had come to the Ice Palace, as the ‘king’ suggested. But nothing had changed since he had been there before. He felt nothing.

‘How do I find out where the ‘King’ is?’

His stamina was not good enough to search the entire castle.

Kuroo kuru.

A rustling sound caught his attention—spirits tugging at his clothes.

“What is it?” Ruel turned to them, curious.

Kuroo kuru.

The spirits gestured in unison towards a spot.

‘Under the bed?’

Ruel immediately crouched down to check under the bed. Leo jumped down from the bed alongside him.

—The spirits are saying to ask the spirits over there. Until Ruel woke up, this body was playing with the spirits and these spirits.

“Leo, can you create a flame?”

—Okay.

When Leo created a flame at Ruel’s request, the spirits resembling salamanders became visible. The spirits blinked at him with wide eyes.

‘Ah, this is a new development with the spirits,’ Ruel thought, offering a faint smile.

“Leo, ask them if they know where the ‘king’ is,” Ruel instructed.

—Got it. This body will ask on your behalf.

Leo responded, his tail wagging happily as he dove under the bed to communicate with the spirits.

—This body asks on behalf of Ruel, where can we find the King?

Beep.

With a cute sound, the spirits emerged from under the bed, followed by Leo.

—Just follow those spirits.

“Thank you,” Ruel said, picking up Leo and trailing the spirits as they led the way towards the door.

“Ruel-nim?” Aris was surprised when Ruel opened the door and walked out. “How is your body…?”

“Come along, Aris.”

“Understood.” Although Aris responded, he did not grasp the situation. When he looked at Cassion in confusion, Cassion let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders. It was a signal to follow quietly.

***

The salamander-like spirit climbed up the stairs leading to the top.

“This upper area is the highest point of the Ice Palace and is mainly used as a watchtower,” Cassion mentioned.

Although the spirit was invisible to Cassion, he could roughly predict where it was going.

“The ‘king’ mentioned he resides where the stars are closest,” Ruel replied with a sniffle.

Ascending towards the top, even with Leo cradled in his arms and flames dancing beside him, the chill inside surpassed that of the outdoors.

“I’ll fetch you a blanket.”

While Cassion was accustomed to the cold, Ruel was not. If Aris was feeling the frost, it must have been severe. Without much ado, Ruel promptly wrapped himself in the blanket handed by Cassion.

“Besides the cold, the mana quality here is exceptionally pure. The air is refreshing,” Aris remarked, shivering slightly.

“There are so many spirits.”

Ruel wanted to show anyone the multitude of spirits clinging to his body. It felt like he had become a spirit tree himself.

—Ahem, the prime spot has been claimed by this body.

Leo proclaimed proudly, addressing the spirits surrounding Ruel. Regardless of others’ opinions, Leo believed he had secured the best spot.

Beep.

The salamander-like spirit pointed to the door leading outside, making a sound as if to say, ‘Here.’

Cassion advanced, released the stones securing the door, and pushed it ajar.

Swoosh!

The thunderous wind’s sound startled both Ruel and Leo simultaneously.

—Whoa!

‘Crazy. Is that the wind’s roar?’

Even without nearing the door, Ruel sensed the fierce gusts that seemed poised to thrust him backward.

“The wind is exceptionally strong, so approach with caution.”

Cassion held the door and waited for Ruel to approach. Unlike the other doors, this one was as thick as an arm. Despite its size, it was swaying enough in the wind that he needed stones to hold it still, making Ruel hesitant to get close.

“Leo, could you calm the wind a bit?” Ruel had no choice but to ask Leo for help. Leo smiled, then his ears perked up.

—Ruel!

Leo called out urgently.

“What’s wrong?”

—That wind is no ordinary breeze. Don’t be afraid; come closer.

“Not an ordinary wind?” Ruel questioned as Leo tilted his head in confusion.

—This body is clueless too. This body simply relayed the wind’s message to this body.

Ruel glanced at Cassion. “Were you aware of this?”

“No, I wasn’t. But if it’s not an ordinary wind? We’ve acclimatized to it over time.” Cassion nodded, as if uncovering a minor secret.

Trusting Leo, Ruel approached the door. The forceful wind that had been repelling him suddenly subsided.

“The surroundings have shifted!” Aris exclaimed in amazement.

The pristine white landscape vanished, replaced by a lush green meadow stretching before them.

Cassion squinted at the landscape. He never would have guessed that there was such a secret hidden in his home.

‘It unfolded exactly as foretold.’

Ruel was taken aback by the transformed scenery.

‘To think that just going to the place where the stars are the closest would allow me to meet the king.

Inhaled breath, Ruel cautiously stepped inside. The fresh scent of grass tickled his nose.

“King.” Ruel spoke as he looked at the figure before him. A white figure curled up in the field like a dead mouse sparked anger within him.

‘Are you seriously sleeping?’

Putting him in this pathetic state and waiting for him without offering any help while he just talked nonsense.

Ruel accelerated, stiff in his abdomen, then shouted, “Hey, you bastard!”

There was no way his words would come out nicely.

“R-Ruel-nim!” Aris was aghast.

Regardless of the ‘king’s’ true identity, he must be a being akin to a god. To suddenly curse at such a being was audacious. Cassion was equally taken aback.

“Calm down, Ruel-nim!”

—Exactly! Aris mentioned you should offer greetings to someone you meet for the first time!

Leo interjected, pawing at Ruel’s chest.

“You called me here, and then you’re just sleeping? You fucking bastard!”

Yet, Ruel’s ears were deaf to anything but his fury. He vented the pent-up rage towards the King.

“Hey! I’m here!” Ruel kicked the King, discarding any formality.

At that moment, the king stirred slightly. His eyes, previously shut, gradually opened.

“You’ve arrived?”

“Yeah, you bastard,” Ruel retorted curtly.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time.”

The king’s gaze shifted from Ruel to Cassion, Aris, and then Leo. Aris, captivated by the king’s endlessly warm gaze, found himself speechless. Startled by Ruel’s abrupt actions, he hadn’t fully perceived the king before, but now he comprehended. That being truly resembled the sun. Instinctively, he bowed his head.

“Thank you.” The king smiled at Ruel.

“For what?” Ruel queried sharply.

“For staying alive. I’m very thankful that you’re here.”

“…?”

In that instance, Ruel sensed something enveloping him, startling him. He swiftly glanced back at the frozen scene before him.

“Time… has stopped?”

Everything around them, except for Ruel and the king, stood frozen.