Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 457: The Birth of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom

The director of BBTV, America’s top broadcasting station, ordered his employees, “Make sure to recruit Player Minhyuk! Have him sign an exclusive contract with our broadcasting station! Ah, wait. What should we do about the contract terms and rates?! How about 8:2? No 10:0!!! Give him a three million dollar down payment!”

For broadcasting stations, just having Minhyuk sign with them was more than enough. After all, they would gain astronomical returns with just the advertising effect alone. It was not just the broadcasting stations from America that were discussing various conditions to rope Minhyuk in. Even China, Japan, Russia and many other countries were scrambling to get Minhyuk. Even the top global company Apel, a company famous for their APhones, was trying to vye for Minhyuk.

“How about giving Player Minhyuk a ten million dollar down payment if he signs our contract?”

“He’s Ilhwa Group’s successor. So, ten million dollars would not be enough. On top of that, the other companies are definitely thinking about their own terms for the contract that they would offer. Even fifty million dollars might not be enough to catch his attention.”

“But… we have to recruit him by hook or by crook. If we can also get the guild members of Let’s Eat Sect with him, the advertising effect that they could bring will definitely be astronomical!”

One of the world-renowned Hollywood actors, the one that boasted the greatest value, opened his mouth and said, “Isn’t that buddy, Minhyuk, so cool? He was actually able to overcome his eating addiction like that. I want to be friends with him. I’m going to Korea now!”

“Aren’t you supposed to film Stone Man today?”

“Even so, I still want to go now!”

And that was not the end of it. Various broadcasting stations and media outlets evaluated…

“Player Minhyuk will definitely be one of the one hundred most influential people in the world this year.”

“We can safely say that he will be in the top ten.”

“He’s already standing in the world’s spotlight.”

Everyone heaped their praises onto Minhyuk. Amidst all of that, they still could not take their eyes from the screens. This was because Minhyuk, who had won the battle against Barras Kingdom and had protected his vassal Elpis from the Great Demon Verus, was now marching towards the capital of Barras Kingdom.

***

The game broadcasting stations in Korea were all overjoyed! This was because Player Minhyuk was their fellow citizen and that they could film him in Athenae. Hundreds of their drones flew up and filmed Let’s Eat Sect and Player Minhyuk, who was leading them.

[Let’s Eat Sect has started their march towards Barras Kingdom.]

[They’re marching with Elf King Gorn, Dragon King, the unknown spearmen and the unknown troops that arrived late.]

The unknown troops that they were talking about were of course Lauvredo and the Talmor believers. All of the troops combined reached more than 10,000. This was because Dragon King and Elf King Gorn immediately summoned the retreating troops that came with them the moment they sealed Great Demon Verus. Elf King Gorn had also suggested Minhyuk to ride on his superb and favorite mount, Nutis.

Nutis was a white horse with both a beautiful name and mane. Anyone that saw Minhyuk riding this beautiful mount as he rode in front of the troops heading towards Barras Kingdom felt jealous. More than half of the country were watching this scene. As they advanced, Genie and the members of Let’s Eat Sect began talking.

“Today is really the most suitable day.”

Right now, the entire world was watching Minhyuk and Let’s Eat Sect. The total number of viewers that watched them might even exceed a billion. Yes, that was right. Today was really the most suitable day for Let’s Eat Sect to stage a rebirth and become a kingdom. Minhyuk, Let’s Eat Sect and the more than 10,000 troops that he led, all arrived at the capital of Barras Kingdom.

“We will not touch a single hair of the elderly, the children and the women. We will kill the soldiers that will resist and we will not persecute those who surrender for their sins,” Genie declared as she stepped forward in Minhyuk’s place.

However, not many surrendered from the 5,000-6,000 troops left inside Barras Kingdom, even though rumors about Let’s Eat Sect defeating the more than 150,000 troops that they sent before had already started to circulate.

Even though King Grain was a foolish king, he knew that further sacrifices were inevitable. King Grain was still the king and ruler of Barras Kingdom. He stood in front of the castle with hundreds of knights behind him and stepped forward without ordering his men to move. Minhyuk just watched Grain silently as he remained seated on his white horse. The scene clearly showed that Minhyuk was the winner of the war.

“Let’s Eat Sect’s Leader, I, Barras Kingdom’s King, King Grain will not back down and lower my head until the very end. Kill me,” King Grain declared. It seemed like he was trying to save the last of his pride with this.

‘Minhyuk….’ Genie thought as she looked at the scene in front of her in concern.

Would Minhyuk take King Grain’s neck right away? If he did take King Grain’s neck, then they had to destroy the entire royal family. But doing so meant that they risked gaining the ire of all the viewers watching the scene. Even though this was only natural, most of the people that played Athenae were clueless about the laws during the Middle Ages. Watching the destruction of the kings and royals that lost the war would definitely be unpleasant for the people that lived in the modern era and would definitely put a frown on their faces if they went down that path.

Minhyuk, with his voice filled with dignity, said, “I did not ask you to kneel. I did not ask you to surrender your supplies. Nor did I ask you for the blood of those related to you.”

Minhyuk’s eyes turned cold as he continued to say, “But…”

He looked at Barras Kingdom behind King Grain.

“…as a king that lost the war, you should not bow in front of your enemy kingdom’s king, but in front of your people. Your people are crying because they lost their fathers and their children and could not even mourn their lost bodies. More than a hundred thousand of your people have died while the rest are grieving, because of your greed. Whether you are the king or the subject, the value of a life holds the same weight for everyone.”

“…!”

King Grain was extremely shocked to hear Minhyuk’s words.

‘How… how can he be so clever with his words…!’

If Minhyuk took their kingdom’s supplies and killed the royal family, all of the people that were huddled up here would definitely stage an attack against him and Let’s Eat Sect later. In addition, when King Grain declared that he would not back down and lower his head, he meant that the troops hiding right now would stage a rebellion and cut them down someday in the future.

He had already expected that he, the royal family and even the young princess would die here and now. However, just a few words from Minhyuk was making him doubt himself once again. If he could, he did not want his beloved child, his lovely princess, to die! And…

“Sob, sob, sob, sob!”

“Your majeeeeeeeeeeesty!!!”

“Sob, sob, sob, sob!”

…his people were crying.

Despite being prepared for the destruction of Barras Kingdom, the sorrow that they had kept in for so long burst out like water breaking out of a dam. King Grain looked at the people of Barras Kingdom crying loudly, the sly and clever Minhyuk, and even the crying young princess. It seemed like this was his enemy’s mercy and firm will.

King Grain bowed to his people and could not get up for a long time.

When he finally gained the courage to stand up once again, he ordered, “I will surrender everything that the Barras Kingdom has to Let’s Eat Sect. In addition, I order you to aid in the revival of Let’s Eat Sect and to not rebel against them! As for the leader of Let’s Eat Sect, I implore you. Promise me that you will spare my young princess and the rest of the royal family.”

The words that Minhyuk said had a lot of different meanings. But after King Grain’s declaration, none of the people of Barras Kingdom would go against Minhyuk. And to answer King Grain’s plea, Minhyuk nodded his head silently.

[Barras Kingdom’s King Grain has left his final will.]

[The King’s Final Will exerts absolute power.]

[The nobles and the royal family that have and will rebel against you have accepted their king’s final will.]

King Grain unsheathed his sword and stabbed himself in his chest.

Stab—

“Father!” The princess shouted as she ran towards King Grain, who had just committed suicide.

“All of the royal family and nobles of Barras Kingdom are hereby banished from the kingdom. As for the victims of the war, we will honor them by erecting memorials and gravestones in a place not too far from Barras Kingdom.”

“Thank you!!!”

“Thank you!!!”

“Long live Let’s Eat Sect!!!”

“Long live Let’s Eat Sect!”

The people of Barras Kingdom began to cheer for Minhyuk and Let’s Eat Sect. They were already in a situation where their hatred for King Grain had reached the depths of their hearts and were already trying to do their best to understand them. The commentators could not help but admire Minhyuk.

[There’s no doubt that Player Minhyuk is a very clever ruler. With just a few words, he was able to take King Grain’s life and win the hearts of the people of Barras Kingdom.]

[A ruler who can’t win the hearts of his people is not a true ruler.]

[Even those that thought of rebelling against him were prevented from doing so because of King Grain’s Final Will.]

[Even if they can rebel, they will not do so. After all, doing so will renounce King Grain’s final will and make light of his death.]

Everyone was in awe and admiration of him.

Minhyuk walked towards Barras Kingdom’s castle. The knights that stood in front of the castle stood down and created a path for him. He did not kill the king of Barras Kingdom personally, which protected their king’s honor, causing them to respect him and increase his reputation among them. Just like that, Minhyuk and the members of Let’s Eat Sect entered the castle. And the people that followed behind them included hundreds of journalists that accessed Athenae for this moment.

Minhyuk continued to walk forward alone until he was in front of the throne. Finally, upon taking a seat, the notifications rang.

[You have gained victory in the war against Barras Kingdom.]

[In line with King Grain’s final will, the authority over everything in Barras Kingdom has been surrendered to you.]

[You will be able to hear about the hidden things in Barras Kingdom from King Grain’s aide, Lucio.]

[You will be able to acquire the 91,131 people of Barras Kingdom.]

[You will be able to acquire the 13,111 troops of Barras Kingdom.]

[Barras Kingdom is the kingdom of production classes.]

[You are the sole player that has met all of the conditions to become a king.]

The notifications that rang in Minhyuk’s ears were very satisfactory. And with that, all of the members, troops and Named NPCs of Let’s Eat Sect knelt down on one knee. The sight of thousands of people kneeling in front of the throne was truly a sight to behold. It was enough to bring a thrill down one’s spine. And…

“I beg for Let’s Eat Sect’s leader’s forgiveness. I, Knight Lauvredo, was once the deputy commander of Barras Kingdom’s knight order. Me and around 2,000 people that were staying with me in the Arda Territory would like to request that you allow us to pledge our eternal loyalty to you, lord of the Let’s Eat Sect.”

Minhyuk was familiar with Arda Territory and he had also heard about the man in front of him, Lauvredo, from Paladin Corr. He said, “I grant you your request.”

New people had started to express their loyalty towards Minhyuk.

[Lauvredo together with 1,941 vagabonds has sworn their eternal allegiance to you.]

They knelt down one one knee in front of Minhyuk once again. Minhyuk looked softly at the people lined up in front of him. Now, the entire world was waiting with baited breath and waiting for what Minhyuk had to say.

After looking around them, Minhyuk said, “From now on, Let’s Eat Sect will be free from the rule of any country or empire.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The journalists present in the hall opened their eyes wide, like shocked rabbits. Those words were something that everyone had expected. Nevertheless, they were still shocked when they heard it.

“I will become a king.”

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Shoot this!!!”

“This is a historic moment!!!”

His words shocked the world and brought cheers from the people of Korea. After all, the first king to ever appear in the history of Athenae was someone from their country.

1. A reference to Apple and Iphones.