Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 225: Meeting the King
Arthur nodded. "Alright, thanks."
Donald tapped his finger against the car door. "I'll try to arrange another call with the doctors so you can talk to your sister within this week."
"I'll be grateful," Arthur said, voice carefully measured.
As Arthur opened the car door, Donald called after him.
"Arthur."
"Yes, sir?" He turned around.
Donald's face was expressionless as he stared straight ahead, not meeting Arthur's eyes.
"The prison time is going to end soon. What do you think the mayor will do to you and Adam?"
The question hung in the air like a trap.
Arthur's face remained neutral, but his mind raced. 'Is he suspicious of me?'
He paused for a calculated second before shaking his head. "I'm hoping we could leave, but I think he won't let us go. So I have a plan. I wanted to talk to you about it."
Donald finally faced him, interest sparking in his eyes. "What is it?"
"The only way is to rescue us, or somehow negotiate with the mayor to let us go. Possibly provide him enough benefits."
Arthur leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret. "I'm assuming you tried to rescue us already? I heard some commotion a few times, but it didn't work."
Donald's jaw tightened, a frown creasing his forehead. "It's very difficult. We don't have enough power."
Arthur nodded, letting irritation flash across his face. "Our only choice is negotiation..."
"I don't know much about what you can give him, but you must try something." He ran a hand through his hair, the perfect picture of frustration. "We're far too behind other players, and I'm still level 6..."
Donald's eyes narrowed before he nodded.
'There is no loophole in his new or old claims. But why...why do I feel like something is wrong.' Donald thought.
He watched Donald process this, searching for any sign of disbelief.
"The mayor is smart," Arthur continued. "Which is why he is still in power despite everything."
Donald seemed to debate with himself before answering. "We're working on something. It might buy you a small time period to escape."
"That would work," Arthur agreed. "When?"
"Soon."
...
After the talk with Donald, Arthur decided to head to the cafeteria. He hadn't eaten in a long time, and hunger was starting to gnaw at him.
The facility's cafeteria occupied an entire wing of the east building—all gleaming chrome and bright lighting.
Arthur approached the service counter and handed over his ID card.
The cafeteria lady's eyes widened slightly as she scanned it. Her demeanor instantly shifted from bored to attentive.
'First class...' she thought, straightening her posture.
"What would you like, sir?" Despite Arthur being at least twenty years her junior, she addressed him with newfound respect.
"I'll have that steak, with some mashed potato on the side," he said, pointing to the display.
"Excellent choice, sir." Her voice practically purred. "The steak is Wagyu grade A5, imported from Japan last week. Marbling score of nine, aged twenty-one days. The potatoes are whipped with truffle butter and roasted garlic."
She leaned forward slightly. "What rarity would you like for the steak?"
"I don't mind," Arthur replied. "You can decide."
She nodded, clearly pleased to be given the authority. "Medium-rare it is—the chef's recommendation for this cut."
As she prepared his tray, Arthur scanned the cafeteria.
The cafeteria lady returned with his tray. The presentation was immaculate—something you'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, not a military facility.
"Enjoy your meal, sir," she said. "Any drink?"
"Just water, thank you."
Arthur found an empty table near the window. The view showed the artificial park, complete with imported trees and a small stream. All enclosed by a massive dome.
Although the food was great, Arthur didn't enjoy it. He was simply eating to satiate his hunger, nothing more.
"Mind if I join you?"
Arthur looked up to see a woman standing by his table.
"You can have the seat. I was leaving." He grabbed his tray and stood.
The woman glanced at him for a second, then shrugged and sat down, already forgetting him as she started eating.
Arthur placed his tray where used trays were stored and headed for the exit.
"Sir," called the lady behind the counter, "you don't need to worry about your tray. You can simply leave it, we will take care of it."
Arthur nodded and continued walking.
Almost two hours had passed since he logged out, which meant his appointment with the king of Caldera was due soon.
He had no time to waste.
Arthur reached his dorm and closed the door behind him.
Arthur looked at the ring in his hand before he logged in to Armageddon.
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The real world faded away as Arthur teleported to Armageddon.
Anna, still waiting outside the guild hall, sensed Arthur's presence immediately.
'He's back,' she thought, watching him step out of the building. 'Lady Elara was right about his importance, but wrong to underestimate him.'
Her eyes narrowed as she observed from the shadows. 'How did he vanish and return so easily? Teleportation scroll to leave, perhaps, but coming back?' She considered the possibility of a special guild feature but didn't dwell on it.
Her mission was clear—protect him. Nothing else mattered.
Arthur strode through Caldera's morning streets, completely unaware that one of the kingdom's deadliest figures shadowed his every step.
He crested the hill leading to the palace district and stopped.
'There it is,' he thought. 'The royal palace.'
The Ashborne Royal Palace dominated Caldera's skyline, a gleaming monument to power and magic.
Golden spires pierced the clouds, and the central dome, rumoured to be crafted from a single piece of enchanted crystal, reflected sunlight in prismatic patterns across the city.
Walls of white marble inlaid with veins of gold. The palace grounds sprawled across twelve acres, featuring terraced gardens where plants from every corner of Mera flourished in impossible harmony.
"Halt," commanded a royal guard at the main gate. "State your business."
Arthur took out the scroll Elara had given him.
