Streamer Crazy About Slaughter - Chapter 472
***
“You will receive a title similar to a duke. Nevertheless, a title that is differentiated from them will be granted to you.”
“If it’s special…”
“If you think about it simply… you can consider it a duke title. However, you will not be given a territory or any significant power. Instead, even someone who holds the title of duke in the Empire will not treat you lightly.”
As Dalki spoke slowly enough for me to understand, I felt a strange emotion in my heart.
‘Is Dalki really that powerful?’
I couldn’t say that I had dedicated myself to the Caldea Empire or achieved something monumental.
I had simply just arrived in the Caldea Empire.
Yet, Dalki was saying that she would bestow upon me the title of duke despite my lack of accomplishments.
What I felt from Dalki’s demeanor, as she spoke so casually about the title of duke, was a sense of incongruity.
‘Isn’t there a strong backlash within the Caldea Empire?’
Regardless of the differences, a title such as duke was a high-ranking one in any empire.
It was a title that could be held by only a few, even in the Grandelia Empire. The rank above duke only numbered three at most.
Typically, it bore a weight that only the supreme power holder, the emperor of the empire, should speak of.
…But Dalki was right now.
Calmly stating that she would give it to me.
“You don’t need to feel burdened by the title of duke. Even so, I will ensure that you will not have to bear any responsibilities.”
After a moment of silence, Dalki smiled warmly and added more words.
Did she feel that I was feeling burdened by the title of duke? I shook my head with a faint smile.
“I don’t feel any burden regarding the title.”
Right now, I couldn’t express it openly, but I had no burden regarding the title of duke.
After all, I had held a higher title than a duke in the Black Ark.
—Duke.
The title of duke was originally nonexistent. It was merely a title created by Cecilia to glorify my contributions to the unification of the continent.
Still, it was ranked above the title of duke.
However, that was strong in meaning ‘on the surface.’
In the past, Cecilia initially intended to bestow the title of duke upon me, but back then I had refused to receive any territory.
Thus, after much deliberation, Cecilia granted me the title of duke.
I had no territory, and therefore I had no material power like soldiers or resources.
However, externally, my position was higher than any title, with the duke being directly below the emperor.
It was a position given to ensure that whoever was below Cecilia would not be looked down upon.
And now.
Dalki was speaking to me with a similar, though slightly different, sentiment.
Although I lacked the means of territory and power, she promised that she would not allow me to bow my head to anyone.
“…”
“…”
As Dalki waited for me in silence, I felt infinite goodwill embedded in her words.
Even now, she was calmly looking at me, not pressuring me to accept.
After gathering my thoughts for a moment, I asked another question.
“How many dukes are currently in the Caldea Empire?”
“As for dukes… excluding you, there are three in the Empire.”
“Three…”
As I muttered that and began to ponder, Dalki smiled warmly.
“Lin, you really ask unexpected questions. I thought you would surely show signs of rejection.”
At Dalki’s words, I also smiled faintly.
“I have no reason to reject the title itself.”
And even if I were to refuse, it was obvious that Dalki would try to give me something similar irrespective.
Having now been in the Caldea Empire for nearly two hours, I felt that the situations I had encountered were all quite similar.
Excluding the short conversation I had with the emperor of the empire, the individuals I had interacted with had all possessed incredibly high statuses.
It was clear to me what Dalki’s intention was in welcoming me amidst such people.
‘She is establishing my position firmly from the very beginning.’
The notion of bestowing a title later or desiring to look upon me was not the case at all.
To Dalki, my position had already been decided.
So that no one could treat me lightly. It was as if she had already wielded unimaginable power.
The act of casually pulling out a bracelet and mentioning the title of duke also bore a similar meaning.
Just then, Dalki, while caressing the bracelet, spoke.
“The reason I brought out this bracelet to mention the title is because I thought you would be surprised, and it seems my thoughts were correct.”
With a gentle motion, Dalki wrapped the bracelet back in the red silk and smiled softly at me.
Her smiling face was stunningly beautiful, and her red eyes were filled with palpable goodwill.
‘Goodwill…’
I involuntarily realized how significant my past actions, which unintentionally won Dalki’s goodwill, truly were.
“Shall we take a look around the imperial palace a bit more? I have many places I would love to show you…”
When Dalki hinted that she wanted to walk a bit more, I agreed to her suggestion.
Step by step.
As I naturally moved beside Dalki, I changed my thoughts lightly.
Dalki must be wielding power beyond that of the emperor.
The reality that she holds such great goodwill toward me.
Regardless of how things would unfold in the future, just thinking about it lightened my heart considerably.
“I’m looking forward to the banquet.”
“You should be looking forward to it. Tonight’s banquet will surely be the most magnificent one you’ve ever remembered.”
As Dalki subtly exuded confidence, laughter escaped from me.
‘The most magnificent banquet I remember…’
I had quite a few memories of attending banquets.
Having held the title of duke and spent a long time in the imperial palace, attending banquets was something I was often obliged to do.
In the past, the banquets did not move me much as I had tried to distance myself from everyone, but now the situation was different.
‘What would a banquet in the Caldea Empire feel like?’
As I thought that, I considered that Dalki’s words might not come true.
Cecilia, who had bestowed the title of duke upon me.
The grand banquet held afterward in the Grandelia Empire still vividly came to mind.
***
[Is this a game?]
[Wow…]
[A class of great heroes;]
[Duke award ceremony, lol, is this real?]
[Becoming a duke at once. Is this balance even right?]
[Seriously, Lin’s luck is insane…]
[When does the banquet start? I’m more excited now.]
[Just talking with Dalki makes the screen shine, lol.]
[I feel like no other great hero could treat me as well as Dalki does, wow…]
[How is this even luck, lol.]
[At this point, with this power, let’s just have Dalki become the emperor!]
[Real, lol.]
The reactions in the chat were fervent.
Newly revealed information and even a single casual word from Dalki carried tremendous meaning, leaving the viewers in shock just by interpreting it.
Surely, there had been users who received titles before.
Many users had risen to titles even in the Randell Empire.
However, the title of duke.
The weight of that name was on a different level for users from Another World.
Countless quests also involved contributions.
Achieving merits on the battlefield or contributing to the development of the empire. Additionally, contributing in various ways could build up contributions, which allowed users to gain titles in the Randell Empire.
And now. The user with the highest title among the users, known to have risen to Count, would have his position changed due to Dalki’s recent mention of the title of duke.
…
TSJ Office.
The overall bright yet warm atmosphere lingered throughout the TSJ building.
That was to be expected, as it was the day right after the team won the league championship.
Team officials felt greatly relieved, satisfied with the expected outcome of winning.
Some professional players used their vacation time and left the office, while others enjoyed their personal time utilizing the in-house amenities.
Among them, the key contributors to the victory.
Two players were currently gathered in one place.
—Yoon Eunha’s private room.
“Caldea Empire…”
As Eunha muttered absentmindedly while looking at the screen, Seol Ah, who was watching the broadcast right next to her, sparkled her eyes.
“I think we might see some quests or events popping up today or tomorrow.”
“Events?”
“Yes. The New Continent. No, the Empire called Caldea has just been revealed. There’s also the Empire called Refreia, which has not yet been disclosed. Even though Lin is alone in the Caldea Empire now, it wouldn’t just be Lin who can access the Caldea Empire. Soon, won’t we also find a way to move there?”
Nodding slowly at Seol Ah’s words, Eunha responded.
“…That’s likely.”
It was a reasonable and sensible observation.
Then suddenly, her gaze returned to the screen.
—You really have a strangely cute side, don’t you?
—But… I don’t want to hear that too much.
ᅳWhat is it? Are you shy from what I just said?
With Dalki’s playful words, Serin smiled slightly, but Eunha frowned a bit.
‘Have we grown this close already?’
I felt this way before, but they seemed really close now.
“Oh, sister. Are you perhaps jealous right now?”
“Hmm?”
“No. I mean, since Dalki is monopolizing Lin’s attention right now, it seems like it doesn’t sit well with you. Isn’t that so?”
As Seol Ah said this while looking at Eunha playfully, Eunha turned her gaze away.
Then Eunha faced Seol Ah and momentarily asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why… is this jealousy?”