RGS Volume 5 Part 9

The plan had changed. It wasn’t a solid plan to begin with, so it wasn’t a big shock. However, the three people standing outside the side gate of the Marquis’ mansion had been silent for a while now. To be precise, two of them were watching one person’s reaction.

Glance. The Commander of the Royal Guards glanced at Kin. His expression was no different from usual, but his eyes staring into space seemed somewhat vacant. It had been that way since they were rejected in the Marquis’ mansion. Fortunately, although he was rejected, the Commander of the Royal Guards was accepted. He hadn’t even applied, but he got in because he was young.

As a result, their roles were divided against their will. The Commander of the Royal Guards would need to stay here while Kin would need to assist the war profiteer. Returning to his original role wasn’t a bad thing for Kin, but it seemed like he should offer some consolation. However, openly consoling him might come across as an insult, so he pretended everything was fine.

However, this effort only created awkwardness and silence. As time passed, both Abel and the Commander of the Royal Guards felt pressured to break this situation. Unable to bear it any longer, the Commander of the Royal Guards spoke first. All he could think was that he shouldn’t let the other person that he cared. He had to act as usual.

“S-Sir Kin. The weather is really nice, isn’t it?”

The sky was cloudy. Moreover, in the past six years, he had never once asked about the weather. It was no different from whispering in Kin’s ear that he was very worried about him. The speaker himself realized it belatedly and turned pale.

Abel, standing next to him, also became startled and gave the Commander of the Royal Guards an urgent look.

Say something else quickly!

The Commander of the Royal Guards hurriedly added to make up for it.

“Uh, since it’s His Majesty’s order, I think Sir Kin should depart at once. Leave this place to young ones… Ah, I’m not saying I’m young. I mean that, I’m not saying Sir Kin is old either… Ah!”

The situation deteriorated. When Kin slowly raised his head, both the Commander of the Royal Guards and Abel took a step back simultaneously. They feared that his temper might lead him to draw his sword, but Kin merely opened his mouth calmly.

“Yes. I’ll leave this place to you. Take care of it.”

Startled by his unexpectedly calm voice, the two exhaled in relief.

“Phew, yes, please leave it to me.”

“That’s what I intend. Since you’re not old but very young.”

The words ‘old’ and ‘young’ pierced their ears like sharp swords. Especially the Commander of the Royal Guards, who made the mistake, tried to apologize but his stiff tongue wouldn’t move. Abel, who was watching him, became more flustered and, with large rolling eyes, tried to help.

“Ah, no. The Commander of the Royal Guards isn’t that young either. If he were a dog, he’d be a grandfather by now. Haha.”

If Kin were a dog, he would have reincarnated twice already, lived a long life, and had been buried in the ground. However, what bothered Kin more than a life akin to a dog’s was the fact that Abel was fidgeting and worrying about him. Knowing that he had made Abel anxious made him feel both pathetic and miserable.

But he wasn’t angry because he knew it was all due to Abel’s kind nature. Of course, this didn’t apply to the Commander of the Royal Guards. Kin, after seeking Abel’s understanding, called the Commander of the Royal Guards who was a few steps away.

“You.”

Kin called him in a low voice, and the Commander of the Royal Guards responded with the resolve to accept any curses.

“Yes, Sir Kin.”

“I will entrust this task to you, however, there is one condition.”

“A condition?”

“Yes. If you don’t keep this condition.”

Kin casually placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and added.

“I’ll show you what an old man can do when he gets wild.”

“Haha, you, you’re joking, right?”

“I don’t joke in front of young people.”

“…I’ll do whatever you ask.”

Only then did Kin ease his gaze a bit and subtly point to Abel, who was still tense.

“The condition is simple. In the Marquis’ mansion, you must follow my servant’s decisions unconditionally.”

Who?!

The Commander of the Royal Guards looked at Abel with shocked eyes, then turned back to Kin.

“Sir Kin! That’s impossible. How can I follow the decisions of a mere servant?”

“If you don’t like it, you can fight this old man.”

Swish―

The sword made a chilling sound as it was drawn. Seeing the murderous intent in Kin’s eyes, the Commander of the Royal Guards had no choice but to nod.

“Ah, I understand, so please put the sword down.”

“Swear it. Make an oath to follow my servant’s decisions in everything, and to protect his life no matter what happens.”

Oath? And to protect his life no matter what?

At this point, he wanted to question everything, even if it meant fighting him. However, Kin’s small voice that soon followed stopped him.

“It’s all for His Majesty.”

“His Majesty?”

He asked in surprise, but Kin just looked at Abel for a moment and only said these words.

“I’ll explain everything later. So, make an oath.”

The Commander of the Royal Guards looked at Kin with puzzled eyes for a moment, then finally said what Kin wanted to hear. A knight’s oath was as good as risking one’s life. It was a promise made with their name and honor, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The Commander of the Royal Guards frowned at Kin, who had forced this oath upon him, but Kin just calmly gave him a few more requests. Then, as he was about to turn back to Abel to say goodbye, someone was coming out of the door they were standing in, loudly expressing their anger.

“D*mn it! I tried to tolerate it as much as possible because he had such a pretty face, but I can’t take it anymore. What kind of personality is that?!”

Perhaps, because it was a door mainly used by servants, a man who looked like a laborer passed by Kin’s group with a colleague. The man who was angry and who couldn’t contain his frustration, raised his voice ignoring the people around him.

“He acts all high and mighty, but why is he looking for the salted dried meat that we usually eat?!”

When his companion asked something, the man exploded again.

“I did bring it to him. He asked for something made from low-grade meat that noble people wouldn’t even touch, so I gave it to him! But he said it wasn’t right! If it wasn’t right, then fine, but why did he throw the food and hit us? D*mn it, what kind of amazing meat is he looking for, anyway?”

Kin watched them disappear completely before turning back, and then he paused. Abel’s expression was strange.

“Is there something…wrong?”

“Um, well, I think the person that servant was talking about is that guy. The Regas sent by Norhox.”

Norhox’s Regas?

Kin glanced sharply at the place where the servant had disappeared, then approached Abel. When he looked at him as if asking if there was any problem, Abel tilted his head.

“Just like the servant said, he seems to have an unusual preference for dried meat. You know, the kind that poor travelers carry with them. When he was with Norhox, um, I mean, after he finished… ahem, his business with Norhox, he ate it, and Norhox frowned.”

Kin could understand why Abel’s face turned red. Eating that after finishing his business with Norhox… It was certainly unfitting, however, for Kin, it raised different concerns. To make such a fuss and demand it even at the Marquis’ household where he needed to be cautious.

“That Regas is the one who came all the way to where His Majesty was, right?”

“Yes. He was the one who ordered the other Regas to be burned.”

“Did he have any contact with the war profiteer?”

Kin muttered something to himself, then turned his gaze to the Commander of the Royal Guards.

“Perhaps this matter can be resolved sooner than I thought.”

“What do you mean? Does it have something to do with what the servant had said?”

When the Commander of the Royal Guards asked, Kin nodded his head and blurted out dryly while watching Abel’s reaction.

“The food that the Regas has been pestering the servants to get seems to be a specialty from our hometown.”

A specialty? What kind of specialty?

Puzzled, the Commander of the Royal Guards found Kin’s further words even more incomprehensible.

“So, you should get it and give it to that Regas. If you use that as an excuse to get closer, it might be more helpful, don’t you think?”

“But I need to know what it is to get it.”

“You already know it too.”

“Huh? What do you mean I know it?”

“You know it.”

The Commander of the Royal Guards almost asked again what it was that he knew but kept his mouth shut this time. As they exchanged looks in silence, Kin assumed he understood and added.

“Just go get it and give it to the Regas. I’m sure it is right.”

After saying this firmly, Kin softened his gaze and turned to Abel.

“Now there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll be receiving help from the Regas sent by Norhox.”

Receiving help from Norhox’s subordinate?

Is that specialty so amazing?

Abel couldn’t understand but found it difficult to ask because of Kin’s resolute expression.

The suddenly serious atmosphere of the Commander of the Royal Guards was also off-putting. Instead, as he was about to leave, Abel approached him and made a final request in a small voice.

“If you have time, could you please let Melmond and the butler know that I’m doing well?”

“Yes.”

“And if you go to the palace, um, if it’s okay with you…”

Seeing Abel hesitate, Kin nodded as if he understood.

“If there’s any problem with His Majesty, I’ll inform you right away.”

Thank you, Abel bowed his head. As he was lowering his head, the Commander of the Royal Guards, who had been watching the whispering two approached them with a serious look.

“Sir Kin. By any chance. If it’s the war profiteer…”

“You. Have you decided on your name?”

Kin deliberately interrupted the Commander of the Royal Guards. Fortunately, the Commander of the Royal Guards was distracted by the mention of a ‘name.’

“What do you mean by name?”

“If you want to hide your identity at the Marquis’ household, you’ll need to use an alias.”

“I see. An alias… Ah!”

The Commander of the Royal Guards suddenly took a step back as if he were shocked.

“Does that mean I, I can choose whatever name I want?!”

The shock was one of excitement. Abel blinked, wondering why he was so emotional, but Kin had an annoyed expression as if he had expected this.

“Wow, using a name I can choose! Not being called by my real name!”

“Enough, just pick anything. That way, if I need to contact you, I can use that name.”

“Anything? No, that won’t do.”

Judging by the Commander of the Royal Guards’ expression, it looked like it would take days for him to decide on a name. Kin immediately urged him with sharp eyes.

“Hurry up and decide.”

“Don’t worry. Haha, I’ve had a name in mind for a long time.”

Kin felt a sense of ominousness. The Commander of the Royal Guards’ face had turned red as if he was recalling something. Abel, oblivious, innocently asked, “What’s the name?” At that moment, an unpleasant premonition surfaced on Kin’s face, while the Commander of the Royal Guards’ face shone with delight.

“Garasu!”

“…….”

“Ha ha ha— From now on, call me Garasu, similar to His Majesty’s name…”

“Shut up. You’re Tom.”

Kin quickly gave him the most common name and turned his body, effectively ending the conversation. Leaving behind Abel and Tom with their blank expressions.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

The cloudy sky darkened further and a damp rain began to fall. The palace, preparing for the grand welcoming ceremony of its master after six years, did not exude any joy. Instead, the sound of rain hitting the buildings resonated inside, amplifying the gloomy atmosphere.

As if to indicate that this was not a true welcoming ceremony, the constant dripping of raindrops from the sky relentlessly struck the walls. No matter how brightly lit the palace was illuminated, it couldn’t dispel away the darkness. The sound of footsteps echoing in the corridor mixed with the heavy air filled with humidity, further sinking the atmosphere.

Click. Clack.

Slow footsteps.

Numerous courtiers lined up on both sides of the corridor, bowing their heads and listening intently to the sound. It was a posture to welcome the returning master, however, there was no respect in their eyes that matched it. Even without seeing their eyes, it was clearly evident. Most of the people in the palace, filled with influential figures close to the King’s Heart, waited for the sound of footsteps to stop without hiding their wariness.

And they anticipated the first words he would speak after sitting on the throne that had been long since abandoned. He had returned as the conqueror of the continent however he dispersed his army and entered the capital without receiving any cheers from the people. The situation was not much different from six years ago when he returned from exile to ascend the throne after the previous king’s death.

No, it was even more pathetic now. The applause welcoming him was nothing more than the sound of rain.

So, what would he say?

His first words would reveal much about the emperor they would now serve. If he displayed anger, they would actually welcome it. Anger would mean he was easier to manipulate.

However, contrary to the expectations of those waiting, Karas sat on the throne and only looked around as if he were annoyed. As the silence grew longer, Truyde, representing the King’s Heart, stepped forward. He first conveyed words of welcome and added.

“We have prepared a banquet for Your Majesty. Please enjoy the dinner with us, the King’s Heart.”

A smile appeared on Truyde’s face as he suggested the first meal in the palace. And Ashler, who knew the meaning of that meal better than anyone else, glared at Truyde as if he wanted to kill him. It was obvious what was in the meal they prepared. Truyde waited for Karas’ answer without letting his smile fade.

The power to ignite flames?

If he wanted to use that power again, he had to make a choice now. Either refuse the meal like a coward and burn everyone here immediately, or preserve his dignity and partake in the first meal. However, the awaited response came from someone other than Karas.