A knock sounded at the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The rhythm was steady and restrained.
King opened his eyes and looked toward the entrance.
This knock was too steady; it wasn't Furina, nor did it seem like a Melusine. Who was it?
The person outside seemed extremely patient. After waiting for a full ten seconds, three light taps sounded again.
"Knock, knock, knock."
King stood up, walked to the door, and pulled it open.
Standing outside was Neuvillette.
He stood tall, holding his signature cane, his expression its usual calm.
"Mr. Su Ze, I hope my sudden arrival has not disturbed you."
Neuvillette first offered a polite greeting.
King nodded slightly without speaking, waiting for him to continue.
The two looked at each other.
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
Neuvillette seemed to be considering how to speak, while King simply looked at him expressionlessly.
"Mr. Su Ze,"
Neuvillette finally spoke, his voice steady. "Regarding assigning you the task of guarding the 'criminal,' perhaps it makes you feel overqualified, or you might even misunderstand it as some form of neglect on my part."
"However,"
"Please understand, this was not done out of malice."
Neuvillette continued, his tone serious. "On the contrary, this is to pave the way for you; it is the beginning of a series of arrangements."
"As Lady Furina's 'guard,' your status is noble and your strength is unfathomable."
"But Fontaine is a country that values laws and rules."
"Your position and salary need to be supported by corresponding 'power' and 'prestige' to convince the public and ensure the system operates smoothly."
Neuvillette said slowly, "You possess unquestionable strength, but prestige needs to be built upon specific 'merits.'"
"The people need to see a 'hero,' not just a 'legend.'"
"Guarding a special criminal is the start. And next..."
Neuvillette's gaze sharpened slightly. "The Palais Mermonia will gradually entrust you with 'matters' that are difficult for conventional forces to handle, or that require a display of Fontaine's majesty."
"For example: clearing groups of sea beasts harassing the shipping lanes, or expelling large monsters intruding near the city."
"Even dealing with some hidden, unstable threats, such as the Fatui Harbingers."
"Every successful 'handling' will be a cornerstone of your prestige."
"When your name is linked to enough achievements, and the people of Fontaine truly see you as their protector..."
"At that time, Lady Furina will grant you the title of 'Duke'—not an honorary Duke, but a true Duke with actual power."
"Please do not misunderstand; this is not compensation or an apology, but what the people desire and what is rightfully yours."
Having finished, he quietly waited for King's response.
This plan had been brewing in Neuvillette's mind for a long time, and its logic was meticulous.
It could maximize the use of this 'Descender's' power to solve practical problems, while also silencing any potential gossip and fully integrating him into Fontaine. It truly killed several birds with one stone.
Of course, the prerequisite was that this Descender was willing to integrate into Fontaine rather than leaving after a short stay.
After hearing this, King's inner world was already in a state of cataclysmic upheaval.
Subjugating monsters? Clearing sea beasts? Dealing with Fatui Harbingers?
The Fatui Harbinger in Fontaine is Arlecchino, right? You want me to go fight her?
Go fight that head of the House of the Hearth, the unfathomably powerful Fourth Seat of the Fatui?
Wouldn't I be sliced in two in a matter of minutes?
He was riding a tiger and couldn't get off.
A true case of being unable to back down.
If he said 'no' now or showed cowardice, the'strongman' image he had built up would instantly collapse.
He wanted to run away again, and the King Engine began to emit an uncontrollable, low rumble.
Thump...
Thump... Thump...
This time, the King Engine's sound wasn't loud, but it was as heavy as muffled thunder.
Neuvillette's heart sank slightly.
Even after such a careful explanation, had he still offended him?
It made sense.
Asking an existence at the 'Descender' level to handle these 'menial tasks' was indeed an insult.
The fact that the other party didn't immediately flip out was already a sign of great cultivation.
Neuvillette's fingers tightened slightly on his cane, preparing to endure King's wrath.
He had even prepared for the worst-case scenario—he might have to take several years of sick leave.
However, the expected thunderous rage did not descend.
King remained silent.
Fear washed over his spine like a cold tide.
But at the same time, another more vivid, more burning emotion surged up from his memories.
It was the back of a bald man in a cape, and a man with scars on his face and a fierce gaze, who always stood trembling between disaster and ordinary people.
King.
That lucky King known as the 'strongest man on earth,' the one who was pushed in front of monsters every time, whose heart pounded with terror, yet who ultimately never took a step back... an S-Class Hero!
—
The system was right.
His compatibility with the King template was 99.9%.
He was afraid, he was terrified, and he just wanted to crawl back into his blankets and play games.
But what if... what if Furina encountered danger right before his eyes?
What if she needed help?
If he ran away now, what would happen to Furina, who trusted him and gave him such heavy responsibilities?
Neuvillette was indeed strong; he could probably protect the safety of Fontaine, but there were some things he couldn't protect.
Because this wasn't a game, but reality; there wouldn't be a scenario where Focalors just died and Furina would still be carefree two versions later.
When that time comes, how much grief would this seemingly flamboyant and cheerful ordinary girl, who had actually carried 500 years of heavy pressure alone, feel after Focalors' death?
"Thump... Thump... Thump..."
The roar of the King Engine gradually changed amidst King's chaotic thoughts.
It was no longer just the noise of a heart racing purely out of fear.
Something deeper and heavier was awakened from the depths of his soul as he thought, merging into those drum-like heartbeats.
"THUMP————"
This single beat caused Neuvillette's pupils to shrink suddenly as he stood at the door.
It was different.
If the previous sound of the King Engine was a display of pure power and deterrence, reminding one of destruction and madness...
Then this beat now held an indescribable feeling.
Like an eternal, unchanging rock, like the backbone that supports heaven and earth.
It was no longer a clarion call of 'I will destroy you immediately,' but a declaration of 'I am here, no need to worry.'
King himself did not notice this subtle change.
He was just thinking, if he, this 'paper tiger,' ran away, how many people in Fontaine would die?
Although the game didn't specify, would really no one die in the flood that submerged all of Fontaine?
Should he be like King, standing in that position to give others hope even if his legs were weak?
Thump...
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP!!
King was not going to run anymore.
Because that wasn't him.
Even though he was a shut-in, had social anxiety, and was a fake who relied on the system and misunderstandings to put on an act.
However, the reason heroes are heroes isn't that they aren't afraid.
On the contrary, heroes also feel fear, they tremble, and they want to run away.
But when someone needs help, when injustice happens before their eyes, when the weak face a threat—
A hero will stand up.
That is all it means to be a hero.
Since the template matched by the system was King,
Then, he would live according to King's way.
That man mistaken for the strongest on earth, that shut-in whose legs went soft and wanted to flee countless times before monsters—didn't he also step forward when facing four Dragon Level disasters!
Fear is normal.
But the things that must be done, still must be done!