System vs Rebirth

Inside the room, there were only four people. There was no one else, including guards, at the entrance. This way, no one would know about the meeting, and if Noel and Anna decided to kill the king, they might be able to do it.

However, that was the reason why Noel suggested the king bring a spirit transcendence as his guard.

The king finally understood the reason and started the conversation from there. "To think that you two would be able to become spirit transcendence experts at that age. I have no words to describe how amazed I am."

"Thank you." Noel nodded. "I appreciate that you are a wise king who would take the suggestion of a noble from another country."

"I am probably an insane king who actually believes your words." The king chuckled. "I know that you are going to participate in the auction. Fradania has nagged me a lot that we need to leave tonight to avoid the commotion that the auction will cause, so let's discuss the most important matter, shall we?"

Noel agreed. "I believe that Khalid has explained my intention to you regarding the sea expedition. I and Anna will be participating in the next expedition. We'll provide the runes that the ship will use. In exchange, the Zaecuria Kingdom shall provide the ship and the remaining crews for the expedition."

The king closed his eyes for a moment. With two spirit transcendence experts on board, the expedition might become the safest expedition to date. However, the king still warned them, "In the past eighty years, we have sent twenty expeditions into the sea to find a land other than the one we currently live in. However, we've failed every single one. I'm sure that you're aware of this before proposing the sea expedition, right?"

"Of course." Noel nodded with a serious expression.

"Then, why would you volunteer to join the sea expedition this time? This might even be more dangerous than the demon army you fought a few months ago."

"I am aware of the danger. However, it's not like I'm suggesting a sea expedition without any confidence to succeed."

"Hoh?" The king squinted his eyes.

"I've got certain information from a very reliable source, so I believe that we can find land in this sea expedition. I have no proof, but my confidence is about 80%. While I'm aware of the failure, I'm still new to the sea and the danger looming inside it, so I can't increase the chance further." The Spirit God was really a very reliable source. In fact, he might call him the most reliable source since there was no reason why the Spirit God would trick him.

"That's rather reassuring." The king closed his eyes for a moment. "80%, huh? That's the highest number we've heard so far. Suppose I accept. What will I receive from this?"

"First of all, I'm going to tell you about my demand first." Noel stopped him. "As you probably heard from your guardian regarding the incident outside this city…"

"Are you talking about the attackers?"

"Yes. You should have realized the implications it will bring, so instead of keeping this expedition a secret, I'm thinking about releasing the information bit by bit."

"Won't this make us the next target of the Muivell Kingdom?"

"That's certainly true, but…" Noel shook his head. "By doing this, their attention will return to me after the expedition ends. Instead of the Zaecuria Kingdom finally completing their expedition, it will be 'Zaecuria Kingdom with the Ardagan family joint expedition.'

"Instead of pressing the Zaecuria Kingdom for what they manage to get from the expedition, they will come to us instead, believing that we're an easier target."

The king contemplated for a moment. He could see some truth about it. He then asked, "So you're planning to take the full brunt of their curiosity? And what's in it for you?"

If he could be honest, Noel wanted to say that he just followed what his wife had decided. After all, it was Anna who got those people involved, but there was no way he could say it. Hence, he just thought about the plan that could use that mistake to his advantage.

"Indeed. The items we can procure from the new land might attract a lot of people. And it's my job to turn them into my allies."

The king nodded in understanding. That was indeed a tempting proposal. "How do you suggest we split the loot?"

"3-7 with me only taking 30%."

The king raised his eyebrows. "Isn't that too small for you? After all, you're going to provide two spirit transcendence experts and the runes. Meanwhile, in all expeditions, we never sent a single spirit transcendence expert… And most likely, this time as well. In addition, you'll also give us information about this new land."

"Providing the runes is something that we've agreed upon previously, and you sent Duke Briton to build a ship in my territory according to the agreement. And if you can agree to three things, I don't mind only taking 30%."

"Three things? That is…"

"First, we'd like to receive the right to be the first to choose our loot."

"That's not a big problem." The king agreed without hesitation. It wasn't like they could get them without Noel's help. While he might be able to find that place sooner or later, he might still need more than ten expeditions before finding it.

"The second condition is providing the transport to carry all these loots to my territory. Of course, the Zaecuria Kingdom will take responsibility for guarding it."

"That's easy. To assure you, I'll even send one of the three guardians of the Zaecuria Kingdom so that no one can steal it." The king nodded, promising him a spirit transcendence expert as the escort. This was still a safer mission compared to a sea expedition after all.

"In that case, my last condition is to be acknowledged as the highest rank authority in this sea expedition."

The king was surprised by the third condition. That was what he was supposed to do because Noel was a spirit transcendence.

However, Noel realized that he was still new to the sea and knew close to nothing about it. Hence, he added, "Of course, you're going to provide all the essential personnel, such as crews, the captain, and a language master."

"Language master? Oh, they will indeed be needed if we find a person in this new land. In fact, I'll be appointing you as the supreme commander of the sea expedition, even if you don't ask me for it. It's only natural for the strongest person to be the supreme commander. But to show you my sincerity, I'll appoint one of the two admirals that our kingdom has to be the captain of the ship."

Admiral was the highest title one could attain as a soldier. Duke Briton was a former admiral. The requirement to be an admiral was extremely strict. They needed to have a lot of experience, strength, and talents to command the troops.

It was said that the Zaecuria Kingdom managed to kill more than ten thousand demons on land or water without losing a single person because it was commanded by an admiral.

With such a person commanding the ship, the chance to succeed would be higher.

This was the Zaecuria Kingdom's sincerity. While they couldn't send out their Guardian, they would lend him an admiral.

Noel smiled, acknowledging their efforts this time. "I believe we've reached an agreement."

The king stood up and extended his hand. "Let's make this expedition succeed."

"Yes." Noel shook his hand.

"I will send someone to bring out the contract later." The king nodded. "In that case, I shall return to my palace before a certain someone nags me again to quickly leave. I hope that you enjoy the auction and win the item you like."

"Hahaha. Thank you." Noel chuckled. Both of them exited the room through their respective doors.

Noel and Anna were satisfied with the terms of the agreement.

On the other hand, the king was happy with Noel's sincerity, while Fradania was on edge the whole time.

"Your Majesty…" Fradania finally opened her mouth.

"What's wrong?" The king glanced at her face, finding a scared expression in this fearless woman. "Seriously, what's wrong?"

"That man is dangerous." Fradania shuddered in fear.

"Dangerous? Are you saying that he smelled like a demon as well? The one you warned me about." The king widened his eyes in shock.

"No. It's not a demon…" Fradania shook her head. "It's a spirit."

"A spirit?" The king dropped his jaw. "I have never doubted your nose, but are you sure? Is he a spirit? But humans have spirits in their bodies… He personally has two spirits. Maybe it's related to that?"

"No. My nose is telling me that his body is like a spirit… not exactly, but maybe a portion of him has become a spirit."

The king's expression turned solemn. "What are you saying? Is that a sign or something? I don't think we have any records about it. Don't tell me, he has started to ascend, and his body gradually turns into that of a spirit, as a form of a higher being. Or maybe…"

The king paused for a moment, thinking about another possibility. "Don't tell me. His fate is going to be beyond a spirit transcendence. If I'm not wrong, the ancestor of the Ardagan family was once a spirit king."

Fradania couldn't say anything, but if that were true, Noel would become a truly terrifying existence in the future.

"If only I knew about it during the negotiation, I would give him a better deal to show more sincerity so that the good relationship between the Zaecuria Kingdom and the Ardagan family will last for a long time." The king sighed. "There are a lot of things I need to adjust after knowing about this."

The king and Fradania didn't realize that they simply misunderstood Noel's current condition.