MHGA Chapter 162 – King Laios
When Kairo Retsu and Laios returned outside, the people were already bustling with activity.
Laios's party and the residents of the Golden Country had just finished transporting Falin's ice-encased body out of the Dungeon.
After the earlier breakthrough through the Dungeon, part of the outside world had temporarily become overlaid with it. The force that suppressed undeath still lingered nearby, allowing the residents of the Golden Country to continue living on the surface for a while.
"Falin…"
Laios stood before the block of ice containing Falin, touching it as he said, "We're going to… eat you now!"
As Laios said this, a nearby Felyne suddenly piped up, "Laios Hunter! There's something very important, nya!"
The Felyne tugged Laios over to the remains of the Laios Chimera, then asked, "Do you want to harvest this monster for materials, nya?"
"Hm?"
Laios blinked in surprise, then asked, "We can harvest it?"
"No problem, nya!" The Felyne assured him. "And we can use the monster's meat for cooking too! We already confirmed it, nya! The different parts of its body have the flavors of different monsters!"
"Really?! Please do it!"
Laios's eyes practically lit up with stars.
Meanwhile, those listening in on the exchange between Laios and the Felynes had fallen completely silent...
Especially those who knew that this monster was a manifestation of Laios himself...
"Typical Laios move..." Kairo Retsu muttered to Kazuma beside him.
"Totally. Sometimes I feel like Laios is just way too anthropomorphic..." Kazuma whispered back.
Despite that little detour, preparations for the feast continued steadily.
The Felynes had already begun dismantling the arena, reconnecting the inside and outside, while envoys were being hastily dispatched from the outside world.
As for Laios… after everyone had been busy for a while, he was brought over to a large conference table.
At the table were representatives of the various factions currently present: elves, dwarves, Tallfolk, halflings, goblins… as well as several respected figures native to the island.
The Golden Country's residents had also arrived. Among them was Yad, who had previously been stuffed into a straw doll, now restored to his own body, and stubbornly facing off against the others.
"Sir Laios defeated the Mad Sorcerer!" Yad exclaimed, eyes wide. "According to my grandfather's final wishes, I must entrust the entire Golden Country to him!"
"Only Laios is fit to be king!"
It was clear that before Laios arrived, Yad had already gone several rounds of argument with the others. As Laios looked around the area, he suddenly spotted Kabru.
"Kabru, why are you here? What's going on right now…?" Laios ran over and asked.
Kabru sighed. "Why am I here…? I'm still trying to figure out how I ended up becoming your representative."
"But Yad's right—Laios, you have to take responsibility for this land." Kabru said, "No matter what, people will fight over this island. Especially the long-lived races—they'll use any means necessary to get their hands on the secrets here..."
"You can't just hand this place over to those races. For the future's sake, you mustn't back down."
Kabru continued with such statements.
Then…
Once the hunters heard what was going on, they all rushed over.
"Word is, Laios is about to become king," Kairo Retsu remarked, eyeing the crowd. "Looks like there are even people trying to oppose it."
But in the face of these Monster Hunters—veterans who had fought monsters beyond imagination—those who had been protesting quietly shut their mouths.
"Laios, what do you think?" Kairo Retsu looked at him. "Being a hunter is just a part of you. What you want to do in this world... that's ultimately your own choice."
"So—what will you do?" Kairo Retsu asked.
"Yeah."
Laios nodded, swept his gaze across everyone seated at the table, then placed both hands on the surface.
"I'll become the king of this country."
With that declaration, Yad breathed a sigh of relief and became visibly moved. He formally announced Laios's decision to all factions present.
"Laios's decision is also the decision of all of us Monster Hunters in this world."
Kairo Retsu followed up immediately, "No matter what, Laios is one of us hunters. Of course we'll support whatever he chooses to do."
The hunters straightened their backs, exuding an aura of sheer intimidation.
Which made those who had been planning to speak up all the more silent.
"I'll get everything ready for the banquet. Everyone—eat your fill when the time comes." Laios stepped away from the table. "Let's meet next time... at the celebratory feast."
Watching him go, Kabru sighed again. Then, echoing Laios's words, he stood up and added, "Now, let's continue discussing matters of the Golden Country."
Though somewhat resigned, Kabru understood that his future would now likely be intertwined with this new nation.
Maybe he really had become the demon king's strategist… but honestly, it didn't seem so bad.
Laios, now walking away with the hunters, finally had some time alone with his fellow hunters.
"Yo! Devour-King!" Kazuma teased under his breath.
"How's it feel to be royalty?" Joseph raised his eyebrows and winked at Laios.
"…It doesn't feel real." Laios tapped his forehead with a troubled expression. "I… actually became king."
The future he had once seen in that manga had now come true—yet surprisingly, his heart felt calm.
"You'd better be a responsible king," Naofumi Iwatani remarked. "Don't go taking out your temper on Shield Heroes like some of the people I've met."
"Hmm…"
Laios pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Oh, right—I asked Senshi to turn my monster body into pizza. Want to eat together?"
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium