[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons":3,"chapter-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-225":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1650885,2114,"Chapter 225 225: Meeting the King","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-225",225,"\u003Cp>Arthur nodded. \"Alright, thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be grateful,\" Arthur said, voice carefully measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Arthur opened the car door, Donald called after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arthur.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir?\" He turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donald's face was expressionless as he stared straight ahead, not meeting Arthur's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The prison time is going to end soon. What do you think the mayor will do to you and Adam?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question hung in the air like a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur's face remained neutral, but his mind raced. 'Is he suspicious of me?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donald finally faced him, interest sparking in his eyes. \"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The only way is to rescue us, or somehow negotiate with the mayor to let us go. Possibly provide him enough benefits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donald's jaw tightened, a frown creasing his forehead. \"It's very difficult. We don't have enough power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur nodded, letting irritation flash across his face. \"Our only choice is negotiation...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donald's eyes narrowed before he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There is no loophole in his new or old claims. But why...why do I feel like something is wrong.' Donald thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched Donald process this, searching for any sign of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mayor is smart,\" Arthur continued. \"Which is why he is still in power despite everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donald seemed to debate with himself before answering. \"We're working on something. It might buy you a small time period to escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would work,\" Arthur agreed. \"When?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The facility's cafeteria occupied an entire wing of the east building—all gleaming chrome and bright lighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur approached the service counter and handed over his ID card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cafeteria lady's eyes widened slightly as she scanned it. Her demeanor instantly shifted from bored to attentive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'First class...' she thought, straightening her posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What would you like, sir?\" Despite Arthur being at least twenty years her junior, she addressed him with newfound respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll have that steak, with some mashed potato on the side,\" he said, pointing to the display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward slightly. \"What rarity would you like for the steak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't mind,\" Arthur replied. \"You can decide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, clearly pleased to be given the authority. \"Medium-rare it is—the chef's recommendation for this cut.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she prepared his tray, Arthur scanned the cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cafeteria lady returned with his tray. The presentation was immaculate—something you'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, not a military facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enjoy your meal, sir,\" she said. \"Any drink?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just water, thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the food was great, Arthur didn't enjoy it. He was simply eating to satiate his hunger, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mind if I join you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur looked up to see a woman standing by his table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can have the seat. I was leaving.\" He grabbed his tray and stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman glanced at him for a second, then shrugged and sat down, already forgetting him as she started eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur placed his tray where used trays were stored and headed for the exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur nodded and continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost two hours had passed since he logged out, which meant his appointment with the king of Caldera was due soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no time to waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur reached his dorm and closed the door behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur looked at the ring in his hand before he logged in to Armageddon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real world faded away as Arthur teleported to Armageddon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna, still waiting outside the guild hall, sensed Arthur's presence immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's back,' she thought, watching him step out of the building. 'Lady Elara was right about his importance, but wrong to underestimate him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mission was clear—protect him. Nothing else mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur strode through Caldera's morning streets, completely unaware that one of the kingdom's deadliest figures shadowed his every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crested the hill leading to the palace district and stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There it is,' he thought. 'The royal palace.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ashborne Royal Palace dominated Caldera's skyline, a gleaming monument to power and magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halt,\" commanded a royal guard at the main gate. \"State your business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur took out the scroll Elara had given him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1004,"2026-06-06T12:00:36.158Z",1,"novelbin.me","954968f5793d26004cfe5123ad3e22e215f302ec53063c097293ef2eb0a525b9","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-226","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-224",601,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fonline-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-cover.jpg"]