Koji Fights The World - Chapter 33 Private Debriefing

To Koji’s disappointment, the so-called “feast” was bear paws and bear meat stew, which he declined to partake. Instead, he asked the attendant for dumplings and bone broth soup.

King Aphraphus helped himself to a big jug of wine and tried to get Koji to drink, too. But a pinch on his thigh under the table by his wife made the king retract his offer.

Prince Heretrios, Prince Cyreas, and Princess Daethix ate their meals silently. However, the princess kept staring at Koji, which made him very uncomfortable.

Princess Zelea noticed the stare; she glared at big sister, who grinned and looked away.

Queen Herecias observed everything since she had the best seat at the table.

Once her children departed, the queen finally spoke up. “Koji and Zelea, let’s chat in the Tea Room,” she invited.

“Yes, mother-in-law,” Koji nodded.

The four left the hall and walked together while the guards followed a respectful distance behind the Royal Family.

Attendants scurried ahead to prepare hot water and seating for four guests in the Tea Room.

The queen took the lead, and she slithered along the hall at a slow pace to give the servants more time for their preparations. When she arrived at the Tea Room, several servants awaited in front.

They bowed and opened the door for the royal family to enter.

Once the guests sat down, each guest received tea poured by a separate attendant.

“Leave us,” Queen Herecias ordered in a low voice but filled with her Will.

The servants bowed deeply and quickly scurried out of the small room like mice.

The queen looked at Koji and said, “Koji, tell us what happened. Give us the details.”

The young man obeyed. He started by pointing at the cabinet on the corner which hid an escape tunnel. “A small group of giant rats broke into the escape tunnel and made its den there. We exterminated them. While leaving the Arena, an arachnid named Vishura Hacia, who worked as a seamstress, ambushed us. As a prank, she captured all the centurions and hung them from the ceiling. We convinced Vi to let the centurions down, and then she followed us into the Sailan Mountains.”

The king and queen frowned at the mention of an arachnid, but they remained silent. Queen Herecia smiled and encouraged her son-in-law to continue.

“During our search in the mountain, we encountered a mountain lion and her mate separately. I defeated both,” Koji admitted casually.

Zelea raised her hand to interrupt him. She pulled the beast cores of the two lions out of her spatial ring and placed the stones on the table. The Bond Keeper did not want her parents to doubt his word, and thus, Zelea offered evidence of these encounters.

King Aphraphus examined the beast cores. He noted they were Rank 3 and nodded. In his assessment as a veteran fighter, Koji could easily handle the lions if they appeared one-by-one. He returned the stones to his adopted daughter.

“We encountered other animals, but they were lower rank and defeated by the centurions,” Koji continued. “During our search, we encountered a wall of thorns. A giant ape jumped over the wall and attacked us immediately. Its roar attack was similar to mother-in-law’s zither attack and infused with a strong Qi; the ape knocked out most of the centurions with this attack. I fought back and used the Hurricane Kick when the beast jumped in the air. Then I chopped off its head to end the fight.”

His wife held up her hand again and placed the Rank 4 beast core on the table.

The king confirmed its rank and his brows rose as he whistled.

“What did the dryad ask in exchange for the one-thousand-year-old ginseng root?” Queen Herecia interjected suddenly.

“Yeah, what could you two possibly offer a dryad?” King Aphraphus wondered aloud.

The young couple exchanged glances and looked down. The silence at the table grew louder and louder until Zelea finally gave in. “His seed,” she said meekly.

“His seed?” her father repeated incredulously and laughed. The king slapped his thighs as he considered what he knew of dryads. “Right, dryads are an all-female race like lamias. They require male seeds to continue their race. I should have thought of that.” King Aphraphus rubbed his head with embarrassment.

“The dryad would not release Koji unless she became pregnant with his child. How do you feel about that, Zelea?” Queen Herecia asked in a gentle tone of voice.

The adopted daughter raised her head and looked at the queen. “I have mixed emotions,” Zelea admitted.

Herecia reached across the table and squeezed the young lamia’s hand. “I know this was hard for you,” the queen remarked in recognition of Princess Zelea’s sacrifice. Bond Keepers were extremely protective of their Bonders. The queen understood how much it hurt Zelea to share her bonder with a dryad and have children.

The king tactfully decided not to press Koji for details of his sexual encounter with the dryad. Perhaps in the future, Aphraphus could make his son-in-law drunk enough to spill the beans. Instead, he had a different question. “Koji, I noticed you seem different for some reason. Explain to us what happened.”

The young man smiled faintly. “I’ll read my menu aloud,” Koji offered:

“Name: Koji Adalwin Becker

Age: 19

Power: 16,000

Qi: 10,000 (8,000 Yang, 1,000 Yin, 1,000 Wood)

Rank: 7

Skills: Di-Mak Martial Arts Tier 4 (3/10)

Wing Chun Martial Arts Tier 4 (5/10)

Body Refinement Tier 5 (5/10)

Indominable Spirit Tier 3 (5/10)

Qi Perception Tier 3 (5/10)

Hurricane Kick Tier 2 (8/10)

Saber Proficiency Tier 3 (9/10)

Affinities: Earth, Water, Wood”

Once Koji finished reading his Menu, he received the reaction he expected–awkward stares from the other occupants of the room.

“Rank 7?” the king repeated in awe. Aphraphus remembered that Koji was only Rank 5 less than a week ago. The king couldn’t believe how quickly his son-in-law advanced his rank in such a short time. No one else in the younger generation possessed as much talent as Koji. King Aphraphus resolved to help his son-in-law advance his ranking even further. After all, Koji will be his successor as King of Nephosia.

“Wood affinity?” the two lamias said in unison.

Queen Herecia recovered her shock before her daughters. “Son-in-law, what did the dryad give you? Wood affinity is very rare in Nephosia,” she observed. The northern lands were relatively dry. Therefore, people in Nephosia usually unlock fire or earth affinity although half the population never attain any affinity whatsoever.

“The Mistress of the Forest left her vines inside my body, including my Upper Dantian. She also utilized dual-cultivation to transfer Wood elemental energy and helped refine my Wood Qi Stone,” Koji answered honestly.

The queen nodded in understanding. “Wood is a higher-tier affinity which requires basic affinity in Earth and Water elements. The dryad left a portion of her essence in your body. I fear that she may seek you out someday to turn you into her puppet. It is best for you to avoid reencountering her,” Queen Herecia advised.

“I understand, mother-in-law,” Koji agreed.

“She also removed your seals?” King Aphraphus asked.

The young man nodded. “The dryad couldn’t properly guide her essence through my dantians without removing the bottlenecks,” Koji answered.

King Aphraphus thought about Koji’s advancements. Unlocking Wood affinity had made the young man’s flesh and bones stronger. The increase in Koji’s combat skills was due to his encounters with powerful beasts in the mountain. “Koji, you should continue training in saber. Read more saber skill books in the library and practice what you’ve learned with Heretrios.”

“Yes, father-in-law,” Koji replied with a respectful bow.

The king and queen exchanged looks. He shook his head, and she did the same. “I guess that wraps up what we wanted to discuss with you, Koji,” the king said. He rose from his seat and helped his wife up. “We’ll retire to our room now. Stay here as long as you need, Koji and Zelea,” he said and winked at them.

“Don’t give them funny ideas, dear,” his wife warned and elbowed his chest.

“I’m not, honey,” King Aphraphus laughed nervously. He opened the door for her, and the older couple exited the Tea Room.

Princess Zelea rolled her eyes and sighed aloud. “My adopted parents can be a handful,” she mused.

“Yes,” Koji agreed, “but they are loving parents, and I’m very fortunate to become their son-in-law.”

His wife gave him a beautiful smile. “After my real dad died, they welcomed me with open arms despite strong disagreements from some people who feared that I would usurp Daethix’ claim to the throne,” Zelea noted.

“People have strong feelings when it comes to your big sister,” Koji observed ruefully.

She burst in laughter. “Yes.” Suddenly, Zelea’s face turned somber. “If your daughters show up one day and ask you to return to their mother, what would you do?” she asked.

Koji took a sip of his tea and pondered her question. “I would give them my love but strongly decline. I’m your Bonder, and Nephosia needs me. I can’t turn my back on everyone here and hide with the dryads,” he answered.

Zelea looked directly into his eyes. She felt deeply moved by his loyalty and devotion to the kingdom and her. “Thank you, Koji.”