A Deep-Seated Decline

After reaching an understanding, Duanmu Huai turned and left, while the King returned to his office, where a man was waiting for him.

"Your Majesty, are you certain you want to do this?"

Staring at the King before him, Duke Granz wore a grave expression. The King shook his head.

"For now, I can only hope this will have some effect."

"To be honest, I think placing your bet on an adventurer and an organization no one has ever heard of is far too risky."

"He is an adventurer, after all. If he doesn't take risks, can he still be called an adventurer?"

Hearing Duke Granz's warning, the King laughed heartily, then restrained his expression once more.

"But to be honest, I'm only taking precautions. Granz, at the very least, that man is truly an outstanding warrior. I trust my instincts—he should be someone we can rely on. To be honest, given the current state of the Paretia Kingdom... this may be the best option for now."

With that, the King walked to the window and gazed solemnly at the scenery outside.

It was no wonder the King looked so grave. He knew very well that undercurrents were surging throughout the Paretia Kingdom, leaving it in a state of severe turmoil.

And all of this had to be traced back to the days of the Paretia Kingdom's ancestors.

In the ancient era, one day, the Demon Race suddenly appeared before humanity. They could manipulate unimaginable miracles—magic—and even fly through the sky. The Demon Race then began a large-scale slaughter of humanity. At the time, humans had virtually no means of resisting them.

It was then that the ancestors of the Paretia Kingdom found a method. By forming contracts with the spirits of magic, they acquired the ability to use magic.