"Welcome, sword Hero Morningster," The king of the Arudine Kingdom greeted. His voice bellowed with power.

Just across from the stairs that led to the throne area was Sword Hero Morningster in the flesh.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Sword Hero Morningster answered respectfully.

<[[[ King Wuldrich Ezinobledingleton: Level 91 ]]]>

[ Class: Emperor Lancer ]

'I still don't understand why he doesn't join the fight when he is this powerful...' Sword Hero Morningster took note of the king's stats again and couldn't help but wonder internally.

"You have once more done a fine duty closing the D-ranked gate at the west of Singurd Territory. The Sigurd Kingdom and Arudine Kingdom sends their gratitude, the world remains in your debt," King Wuldrich proclaimed loudly.

"You flatter me King Wuldrich. I have only done what I believe anyone in the position of power would," Sword Hero Morningster responded candidly.

Beside him, were his party members who stood before the king with respectful gazes. Even Bright did not dare misbehave in the presence of the king.

"The King of Singuard Kingdom has sent gifts in thanks for your noble deeds," King Wudrich continued.

Guards carrying two large boxes marched forward and placed the boxes in front of Sword Hero Morningster.

"Mana strengthening garments, armor enhancer, and repair stones, blade potency stones, Shields, double charge mana recovery bracelets," One of the guards listed out the items while opening the boxes briefly.

'All these for a D-ranked gate? It seems too much,' Sword Hero Morningster had a slight look of suspicion as he stared down at the items.

"My party and I appreciate the gifts," Sword Hero Morningster hid his suspicion and responded warmly.

"Lastly, One thousand Five hundred gold coins compensation," King Wuldrich stated.

One of the guards passed a pouch to Sword Hero Morningster.

He received it with a nod. This was the only normal occurrence since he regained consciousness. One thousand five hundred gold coins for a D-ranked gate.

This was the usual compensation amount. If it was a C ranked gate the amount doubled.

The heroes were not powerful enough to close a B-ranked gate yet so none of them knew how much the compensation gold would be to close that.

However, Sword Hero Morningster couldn't stop thinking that the boss he faced was more powerful than what a D-ranked gate would usually spew out.

His assumption at the time was B ranked but he wasn't so sure now.

"King Wuldrich, if I may be so bold as to ask... why do the powerful monarchs such as yourself not join the conquest of closing the gates" Sword Hero Morningster finally decided to ask this question that had been looming in his mind since he arrived there.

The entire Palace instantly turned quiet. It was a wonder if the utter silence was because he wasn't supposed to ask such a question or if everyone was just waiting for the answer from the king.

"The gates..." King Wuldrich began speaking.

"...They are calamities of the Demon Lord trying to take over our world. In the past, we the monarchs tried to face this threat alone but... *sorry! korrh!*" The King's face suddenly grew visibly pale as he coughed twice.

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"Hmm?" Sword Hero Morningster looked confused as he stared at the King's health bar.

[Hth: ■■■■■■□□□□ ]

It was reducing rapidly.

An eunuch in red robes quickly jogged forward and brought out a little purple bottle from the space in his sleeves area.

He fed the contents of the bottle to the King and right before Sword Hero Morningster's eyes, the King's health added up till it returned to its initial full state.

"... Pardon me..." The king voiced as his face became rosy once more.

"What was that?" Sword Hero Morningster had never witnessed such a sight before.

"We weren't prepared for what we were about to experience when we vanquished an army of monsters and entered the first B-ranked gate to ever appear ourselves..." The King uttered with an immensely regretful tone.

Morningster's eyes widened as he heard this. Unfortunately, he was the only startled one here. The others were already aware of this tale, especially his daughter Valerie.

Morningster watched her take a little bow. He also noticed the brief cloud of sadness that appeared on her face as she stared at her father.

"This sickness... all six of us monarchs who appeared to close the gates, were inflicted with it. We have employed the strongest healers but none have succeeded in healing us. The holy church is also unable to purify this curse of a sickness and I cannot exert myself in any form or way or it would spread even faster," King Wuldrich explained.

"We all have a life expectancy of two more years... summoning you heroes was our last hope. According to the ancient scrolls, this isn't the first time heroes have been summoned into our world to face the calamity of the gates. They have been successful in the past so it is without a doubt that the heroes are immune to whatever toxin the gates spew," He added with an optimistic tone.

"If heroes are immune, then what happens to their party members? Also, my members are still hale and hearty... why?" Morningster asked with a tone of curiosity.

"Gates ranked D to F are not nearly powerful enough to inflict the non-heroes with the sickness unless there is an entry. A and B-ranked gates on the other hand can be toxic with closer proximity. It is paramount that only heroes get close to it at such ranks. C-ranked gates are on a neutral level," King Wuldrich analyzed.

"Hmm... I am glad I learned of this before facing a B-ranked gate. Do well to inform the other heroes about this too, your Majesty," Sword Hero Morningster bowed before turning around to leave.

"Farewell Sword Hero Morningster. I trust you will be prepared when it is time to call on you again," King Wuldrich stated.

Ezrel, Ekiel, and Bright bowed as well and proceeded to pick up the boxes before following Sword Hero Morningster.

They arrived at the outskirts of the Palace and noticed Ingal sitting in one of the garden areas.

There were two guards stationed on the sides and he seemed rather scared.

"Sword Hero Morningster," Their faces were donned with respect as they both greeted.

Sword Hero Morningster ignored the guards and approached Ingal, "Did they stop you from coming in again?" He questioned.

Ingal nodded while Morningster turned to stare at the guards.

"To prevent my party member from joining me in the Palace is to prevent me," Sword Hero Morningster stated sternly.

"We apologize, sir! He just looked too dirty and unkempt, we couldn't let him in," One of them spoke with a tone of sincerity.

"So you keep turning my party member away due to discrimination. Shall I tell the king that I was turned away by his guards next time I fail to show up for a quest briefing?" Sword Hero Morningster retorted in annoyance.

"Ah, no Sword Hero!"

"We apologize for our insolence!"

Both guards instantly began pleading and bowing.

"Let's go," Morningster said to Ingal who wasted no time in following behind.

"I told you to get yourself some new clothes. Why haven't you done that yet?" Sword Hero Morningster demanded facing Ingal.

"Ah...erm...well... the..." Ingal stuttered repeatedly.

"I told you it was a waste to give him any coins," Bright voiced from the side.

"He is a party member just like you. He will receive compensation, just like you," Sword Hero Morningster stated with a firm tone.

"Tch," Bright immediately kept quiet and looked to the side.

"Eh... boss we haven't gotten our compensation yet," Ezrel voiced from the side.

"Hold on..." Sword Hero Morningster said before pulling out the pouch of coins from his jacket.

He opened it and took out a bunch of coins before handing them over to Ingal.

All three of them had looks of disbelief as they stared at the gold coins Ingal received.

"A hundred gold coins? Why did you give him so much?" Bright was the first to yell out.

"I don't mean to be rude, Sword Hero, but he doesn't even have any use for so many coins," Ezrel chimed in.

"He doesn't fight, neither does he need to upgrade armor or weapons like we do," Ekiel voiced as well.

"Yet he carries the load of you three for miles and miles without complaining," This sentence from Sword Hero Morningster immediately shut them up.

"He cooks the meals during our travels. Gathers wood for fire, fetches water from the streams... if anything, I should be taking more out of the compensation of you three and adding to his,"

Their faces immediately paled after Sword Hero Morningster added more to the list.

"Sword Hero sir..." Ingal called out as he raised his conjoined palms and poured most of the gold coins back into the pouch.

"This much will be enough for me to feed and get new clothes," He added after leaving a paltry sum of ten gold pieces on his palm.