A Change in the Wind at the Capital of the Kingdom of Praham.
The capital of the Kingdom of Praham is experiencing a wind of change.
The nobles of the Kingdom of Praham, led by strategist Pan.
Those who said that His Excellency Ben was caught up in nonsensical delusions and memories.
Those nobles were imprisoned for seven days as a penalty for their crimes.
However, there was no sign of resentment or emptiness on the faces of those imprisoned.
Instead, they unanimously decided to contribute 30% of their wealth to the national treasury.
And this was the wind of change.
“The negotiator saved us and gave us enlightenment.”
The nobles had resigned themselves to death.
But there was one who did not.
It was the blacksmith Hyun-soo.
The image of the blacksmith, who did not stop crafting even when swallowed by the fierce flames beyond the collapsed wall, was intensely imprinted.
“Even if it breaks.”
Reciting the words that represented his will, the nobles laughed.
“He is from an enemy country, but he is truly a wonderful person.”
And elsewhere.
Hundreds of knights.
Knights who served those nobles, some of whom belonged to the royal knights, while others were active in their own territories, say, “It is unforgettable. The toughness, force, and skill worthy of chivalry. I might have come to respect the blacksmith, perhaps I’ve harbored thoughts I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s alright, not just you, many knights there felt the same as you.”
The story of the negotiator is passed on from the nobles to the vassals, from the knights to the soldiers.
Surprisingly, this change is closely related to the negotiation quest received by Hyun-soo.
Negotiation represents various things and is a cornerstone for leading peace.
The greatest way to take the lead in peace was the change of heart of the people of the Kingdom of Praham.
A new story emanating from the enemy.
For Hyun-soo, who had fainted again like the unfortunate male protagonist, such notifications were spreading.
[Negotiation increases by 4%.]
[Negotiation increases by 3%.]
[Negotiation……]
[Negotiation……]
This wind of change was not faced by them alone.
Ben, the ruler of the Kingdom of Praham.
Unable to sleep late at night, he brushed the World Tree in the garden.
Swoosh-
Looking at the vast leaves scattered by the wind, he stepped out.
And he opened a door to a room.
Looking at the sleeping blacksmith Hyun-soo, he closed the door and left.
He walked to his audience chamber.
Seated in the audience chamber, Ben fell into deep thought.
“It’s not enough…….”
Ben judged so.
“The mane of Fon, the dust of fairies, orichalcum, black mithril, the claw of the Mountain King, the spear technique of Kradan…… tell me.”
These are the rewards offered by Spear Heaven Ben for the mission to save the Minor World Tree.
In fact, the Minor World Tree itself was a valuable reward.
But he wanted to give a reward for saving his beloved disciple, Frak.
However, now he judges even this to be insufficient.
Of course, everything he offered was incredibly valuable.
The materials he presented were all artifact materials forming an enormous price range, representing the blacksmith’s nation.
And then there’s Kradan spear technique.
It might seem like just an ordinary spear technique, but it represents Praham Kingdom’s spear technique.
How significant would it be for Spear Heaven to teach this?
Yet, even this was not enough.
Ben closed his eyes.
Soon, news would come.
“Your Majesty, the people are shouting your name.”
“Your Majesty, the barren land has transformed into fertile land, alleviating the kingdom’s food shortage.”
This was the great feat accomplished by Hyun-soo.
But that was not all.
Originally, Spear Heaven’s power was as follows:
[Spear Heaven Ben Lv.436]
However, it changed because of a spear crafted by Hyun-soo.
[Spear Heaven Ben Lv.465]
For a named NPC like Ben to become so powerful was an incredible event.
So, he thought.
‘What about passing on that power?’
Spear Heaven had two powers that represented him.
One was the Extreme Spear shown by Frak.
Frak showed an incomplete Extreme Spear, and the real Extreme Spear has an incredibly powerful effect.
And another secret technique of Spear Heaven unknown to the public.
Of course, the public doesn’t know.
How often would someone as powerful as Spear Heaven need to fight someone?
And it’s about winning the battle before even needing to unleash that power.
‘But passing on that power to someone other than my disciple would be a disservice.’
Ben was troubled.
“Your Majesty, may I enter?”
Then came a voice.
Soon, two men entered.
One was Frak, and the other was Pan.
Pan, who had committed a crime, voluntarily paid 50% of his wealth to the treasury.
Additionally, his noble title was downgraded by one level.
Yet, his expression seemed at ease.
The two had come for the sleepless king.
They listened to his worries.
Ben was cautious.
Very careful.
“……So, I’m thinking of passing on the Ghost Step to blacksmith Hyun-soo.”
Ben also thought that Frak might fall into a great worry for a while.
It could also cause a commotion.
‘It’s only natural.’
Frak is his beloved disciple, and Hyun-soo is a negotiator from an enemy country.
The secret technique of Spear Heaven that even he has not learned…
“Do so.”
But Frak spoke as if it were too obvious.
“It sounds like a great idea to me.”‘
Even going a step further.
It was then that Ben realized.
The wind of change was to be faced by everyone present.
“Your Majesty, the materials you offered him can be obtained with money. Moreover, the spear technique would be meaningless to him, who already possesses the Sword King’s swordsmanship. Giving him that power would be most fitting.”
Ben felt it.
Frak’s gratitude towards Hyun-soo was greater than he thought.
“Even if he masters it, it’s clear that I will win in our next duel, so what do I have to fear?”
Ben saw a future where two kings supported each other.
Through his words, one thing was clear.
Frak and Hyun-soo would become great rivals.
And now that a reward had been decided, it was time to talk about the value of the spear.
“You all saved these unworthy ones, so add another 50%.”
No one could dispute that.
And so, Pan thought a mere spear had been priced at an astonishing amount.
“Your Majesty…”
Moreover, strategist Pan was worried about Ben.
But he couldn’t voice his concerns. Soon everything was decided, and morning came.
***
“Ugh…”
Waking up, Hyun-soo looked around.
It was a luxurious bedroom.
‘What was that notification?’
The notification that he was approaching a special name.
For now, there was no way to know.
Another notification suddenly snapped Hyun-soo to attention.
[Many in the Kingdom of Praham have changed their thoughts about the negotiator.]
[The Kingdom of Praham’s national power increases by 1.2% thanks to the Minor World Tree you revived.]
[Total negotiation reached 62%.]
Though Hyun-soo had been unconscious, he could guess what these notifications meant.
‘Is the increase in national power because of the rice grains?’
Ten grains of rice significantly reducing the number of hungry people would indeed lead to an increase in national power.
“His Majesty is looking for you.”
There was another proof of change.
[Strategist Pan]
He used to look at Hyun-soo with disdain, which was natural for someone from an enemy country.
But now, he was polite and said as they walked together,
“Thank you for saving us.”
Receiving polite greetings, Hyun-soo continued to walk through the palace.
The expressions of those he encountered had completely changed.
And he thought deeply about what to request from Ben.
The things Ben promised to give for reviving the Minor World Tree.
But all that seemed too trivial now.
Finally meeting Ben, who laughed mischievously with an old man’s grumpiness,
“Let’s forget about the rewards we talked about before.”
Hyun-soo’s heart sank.
‘What did I do wrong?’
[The reward will be maximized.]
Ben smirked mischievously.
“I’ll give you something else, not those trivial things. I will pass on the Ghost Step to you.”
[Ghost Step is of legendary grade.]
Hyun-soo was astonished.
And just like when he learned swordsmanship from Barad, no skill quest popped up.
When receiving something from an NPC, sometimes a skill quest appears, and sometimes it doesn’t.
Usually, it happens when the NPC teaches and tests.
But now, Ben decided to teach without testing.
‘Legendary grade…?’
Getting a legendary grade skill unexpectedly.
Moreover, it was a secret technique of Spear Heaven, which made Hyun-soo feel it was too valuable for him.
‘It’s like an oasis to me, who is still lacking.’
Hyun-soo still had many challenges ahead.
Ghost Step would be a great help on that journey.
“I’ve also finished valuing the spear you made. I’ll give you 1.7 million gold.”
1.7 billion won in Korean currency.
It was the largest amount so far.
Hyun-soo felt he had gained a lot from this place.
The Ghost Step, the supreme Minor World Tree, and the vast sum of 1.7 billion won.
“Thank you.”
Hyun-soo bowed, waiting to be dismissed.
But strangely, Ben didn’t say anything for a while and then finally spoke.
“……Can’t you stay by my side?”
It was a proposal that should not have been made to a subject of an enemy nation.
Hyun-soo was taken aback by the words.
***
Standing by Ben’s side, Pan realized the dreaded situation had unfolded.
He understood the king’s heart.
The negotiator from the enemy country could only stay for a total of 10 days.
Hyun-soo had already spent 4 days.
In 6 days, he must leave, and their next meeting was uncertain.
‘Hyun-soo has no choice but to choose one path…’
Pan knew that path was to the Goyard Kingdom.
The person he had seen in Hyun-soo was such.
“I could grant you a title higher than a count. Can’t you become a person of Praham Kingdom?”
Ben’s words, close to a forced plea, were eventually uttered.
There was not a hint of wavering in Hyun-soo’s eyes.
“I refuse.”
That blunt refusal dug deeper into Ben’s heart.
Pan looked at the king with a bitter feeling.
Certainly, he coveted Hyun-soo’s power.
But there was something bigger.
In fact, Ben was almost resentful of Hyun-soo for his blunt refusal.
“I covet your power, but more than that, I feel a profound loneliness.”
Ben had learned and felt a lot from him and took comfort in his heart.
And for an old man like himself, how much longer would he live?
He envied Barad immensely.
He rejected the offer without a moment’s hesitation.
The higher titles and more wealth.
That was the charm Hyun-soo possessed.
That’s why he didn’t want to let him go even more.
But it was a sentiment he had to swallow.
‘I do not want to send you away…’
Yet, no way seemed apparent.
Pan couldn’t see the method either.
However, Hyun-soo alone found it.
“……Let’s stop this conversation here.”
Ben, having suppressed his desire, spoke in a cold voice.
To that, Hyun-soo, who had been submissive, spoke in a soft voice.
“Then, I will listen. I will listen to what you want to say, Your Majesty.”
Ben couldn’t understand.
How could a subject of an enemy nation listen to his words after leaving this place?
“I would like to see you not as Your Majesty’s subject or a noble of an enemy country but as someone else.”
Was there such a way?
Ben was skeptical.
Suddenly, Hyun-soo was looking at him with a warm smile.
Hearing those words, Ben’s heart eased.
Pan admired Hyun-soo’s cleverness for catching two birds with one stone in a situation where he could only choose one.
What he said to Ben.
“Please be my friend.”
With a smile, Hyun-soo looked at Ben and chuckled softly.
The lonely old man laughed heartily.
“You cheeky fellow, how many years apart are we in age, huh?”
On this day, Hyun-soo made a total of two friends.
One of them was the Sword King Barad, and the other was Spear Heaven Ben.
Cliche Novel 
Damn his friends are all op as frick
Bright future’s future is gonna be bright as hell now
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