Transmigrated as a Ghost

"Bow before his majesty, King Amlodd Houten."

Upon entering the room, a mousey looking man with an air of self-importance addressed Marcus, Mrazivý, and Miguel, and ordered them to show difference to Houten's ruler.

The three of them were a bit surprised to see that the king of the nation was present but did not allow this to unnerve them.

He had a regal air about him, with sharp golden eyes and short dark brown hair. Adorning him were dark red robes, and an ostentatious crown covered in valuable jewels.

"It is an honor your majesty." Marcus said, allowing the royal etiquette that had been hammered into him to take over.

Mrazivý likewise executed an elegant curtsy, though, Miguel was a bit less polished in his own bow.

Once they were given permission, the three of them took a seat at a small table reserved for them.

'They've done all they can expect outright say that we are not welcome here.' Marcus thought, a wry smile forming on his lips.

The table and chairs that had been provided for them looked decent but were quite uncomfortable. Not to mention that they sat nearly sixty centimeters lower than the bigwigs from Houten. Forcing them to look up while in turn being looked down on.

There were also no refreshments being provided for them. Not even a simple glass of water. While the ornate table the king and his high-ranking officials were sitting at had fine teas, fruit waters, and pastry sitting atop it.

"Now, you are here to explain your actions. How is it that a party of adventurers tasked with cleaning out the sewers ended up demolishing the old capital's castle and surrounding areas?" The mousey man who was the king's herald said.

Being the leader of his party, Marcus answered the question as evasively as possible. He only gave broad details and stressed upon the point that the battle was unavoidable. Had they not fought back with all their might, they would have been killed.

"Enough of this!" One of the men sitting next to the king said while slamming his fist into the table. "You thieving adventurers obviously entered the castle for your own greedy aims. You do know that the contract you signed with us stipulated that you must, to the best of your ability, avoid damaging the city, and that all items within it belong to Houten.

Now tell us what it is you were really after, and hand over everything you took. Your punishment will not be so severe if you cooperate."

"Very well." Marcus said as he shrugged his shoulders. "Let's start with Arriba Houten then. I believe he is often called the Demented King. A deplorable man that brought about the death of millions of his subjects." Read new chapters at m_v-l'e-NovelFire

Marcus' blatant comment about the greatest blackmark in Houten's history received all manner of negative reactions.

Some of the higherups looked ashamed, while most were noticeably enraged. They did not approve of an outsider throwing their nation's past humiliation in their faces.

Many furious shouts erupted from several of the more hotheaded officials. Yet, by only raising his hand did Amlodd bring the room back under control.

"You seem to be quite familiar with my long past predecessor. Did you perhaps encounter some vestige of him in the castle?"

"It is as you surmised, your majesty. Arriba had turned into a monster called a ghost king and was and was at the astonishing level of eighty-seven. Truthfully, it is a miracle that we were able to best such a monster. I daresay that had he joined the main battle against Houten's forces, today would not have been a victory."

Marcus wanted everyone present to know just how dangerous the foe his party faced, and how fundamental they were to achieving today's success.

"Spare us your exaggerations. A group of only eleven with just three mithril ranks among them could never best a monster with such a level. You're clearly trying to elevate your achievements. I doubt that such an entity could even exist within the city." One of the top generals said with an exasperated tone.

Clearly no one was willing to believe what Marcus said at face value. They had been hostile since the beginning out of outrage at having a valuable asset in the former royal castle destroyed.

"Yes, you're correct. The eleven members of my party did not defeat the Ghost King. I did it alone while my companions fought his high-level courtiers."

This assertion caused even the most hostile members of Houten's upper brass to sit in stunned silence. So far, they had been dismissive of Marcus, but could they just consider what he said to be some sort of bluff. If they were wrong, that meant he was even more powerful than a level eighty-seven monster. Such a creature could easily spell the doom of most nations.

"I grow tired of this." King Amlodd said. "If what you said is true, produce the Ghost King's core. Do that and relinquish whatever other items you took from the castle, and I shall overlook the destruction you caused to the city, as well as bestow upon your party a suitable reward for your heroics."

Realizing that he was not going to be able to intimidate Marcus into compliance, Amlodd decided to cut to the chase.

"Of course, I would be more than happy to follow your request. Unfortunately, the Ghost King's core was lost during the battle." Marcus blatantly lied.

If there was one thing he was unwilling to give up, it was the item he specifically came to Houten to obtain.

"Such insolence! Do you not know who you are speaking to?!" Amlodd shouted. "So far, I have shown you courtesy despite your actions that border on banditry, and the destruction your party caused to this city. Continue to return my kindness with contempt, and I will be forced to take action."

In response to their king's anger, all of the guards in the room drew their weapons and pointed them at Marcus, Mrazivý, and Miguel. Another slight push and the meeting room would turn into a battlefield.