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By the Grace of the Gods (LN) - Volume 11 - Chapter 17




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Chapter 7, Episode 37: Activity in the Capital

While Ryoma worked at his own pace in Gimul, Duke Reinhart, his wife Elise, and their daughter Eliaria could be found in the royal palace—the core of the kingdom and symbol of the king’s influence. A guide led them through ornately decorated hallways, befitting the royal architecture. After passing several doors they eventually came to a particularly large and heavyset one, guarded by two knights each on either side. Their guide spoke to the knights, and several of the knights proceeded to question, then pat down the trio. Once they were permitted to enter, the door made an artificial mechanical noise as it opened by itself.

“It’s a magical item.”

“Oh? Don’t you remember the last time you were here, Elia?”

“No, mother. Has this always been in the palace? I don’t recall seeing it on prior visits here.”

“This is the royal gate. It’s been here for hundreds of years, long before any of us. The door separates the most important sector of the already important palace, the private space of the royal family. Everyone needs to go through the security procedure we just did, and the door won’t open until a knight uses a different magical item to signal someone else in another room who triggers the door to open.”

“I didn’t realize it was so complex.”

“No need to explain how a piece of security works to every guest, I suppose. Besides, you were very little when you were last here, Elia. It’s no wonder you don’t remember. What’s important, Elia, is that we are entering the private quarters of the royal family. You won’t know who we’ll run into. Make sure you are employing perfect etiquette. Be very careful.”

“Yes, father.” Elia answered nervously and straightened her posture.

Reinhart nodded in approval, and stared ahead of the open door. Soon, the three began following the guide again, eventually coming to another door which the guide called into.

“Your Majesty, the Jamils have arrived.”

“Enter,” a brisk growl answered.

The guide swiftly stepped aside, and Reinhart stood before the door with Elise behind him. Only Elia followed behind her parents, and the three slowly entered through the open door. According to proper etiquette, they took three steps after Elia completely entered the room before kneeling and bowing. Just as Reinhart attempted to speak, a voice shattered the solemn air.

“Go on, imbeciles. Get on your feet and come sit down.”

Reinhart raised his head and gave the speaker a dirty look, more out of exasperation than anger. “Erias, have you no tact?”

“Hmph! As if these stuffy rituals would do me any favors! It’s a waste of time, and what need is there for formalities between us? I play king well enough in public, so do let me relax in the comfort of my room.”

“There has to be some bare minimum of decorum. I even brought my daughter with me—”

“Yes! So happy to see you, Elia. My, how you’ve grown!” Erias called joyfully.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty...”

“What’s this?! You used to call me ‘uncle!’”

“Th-That was when I was much younger... I am twelve already. I couldn’t possibly—”

“I don’t mind! No one else is here! You can always call me uncle.”

“But...”

“Well, you have to sit on the couch first. Come, sit. Don’t stay on your knees like that. You can even sit on my lap, like when you were little...” Erias’s attitude had even his dear niece taken aback.

Reinhart, who was attempting to rescue his daughter from his best friend, noticed something, shuddered, and covered his ears.

“Enough!” Elise snapped at the excessively brazen king.

■ ■ ■

Ten minutes later, Elia sat on the couch with her parents on either side, with Erias sprawled across from them, looking rather downhearted. Erias wore a casual outfit crafted from the best materials in the country over his toned body and characteristically full mustache. He would have carried considerable regality and dignity with a little bit of poise, but none could be found at the moment. This was the one and only Erias De Rifall, Reinhart’s best friend, Elise’s older brother, Elia’s uncle and godfather, and the king of Rifall Kingdom where Ryoma lived.

“Can’t you get up already? We are your guests,” Elise said.

“You’re not my guests, you’re family.”

“Elia started in the academy this year. She’ll be expected to act appropriately in certain situations. I brought her here so she can practice her etiquette as much as possible, only for her king to act like this...”

“When I relax, I relax! When I act kingly, I act kingly. I know where to draw the line.”

“You always were great at making excuses.”

“Cut me some slack. It’s not easy to be the king. These past few years have been especially tough, what with the monsters becoming more active all over the country... Want to take over the throne, Reinhart?”

“No. And that’s not an offer you should be making lightly.”

“It’s so stressful... I don’t want to work anymore.”

“Even so, who hosts their guests lying down on the couch?”

“Your king.”

“You are very stubborn in your laziness today.”

“Yes, I am. Why don’t you tell me why you’re here? Let’s get the boring stuff over with.” Erias looked at the three somberly, albeit still on his side.

Reinhart ignored the discordant contrast in the king’s serious expression and unserious posture. “Bring us our parcel, please.” He took a small box from the guide who had been standing aside, and passed it on to Erias.

“Let me see...” The king chuckled as if he had been given a toy as he lifted his upper body with his arm. “A pearl necklace. Each of them are large, with uniform color and shape. Spectacular. You won’t find this anywhere in our country, and you’d be hard pressed to find it even where pearls are harvested. Where did you get this? Why bring it to me?”

“I did promise my source I wouldn’t tell. I promise it’s not smuggled or illegal. Keep it. As a gift for Her Majesty. If you want more, I can bring you more.”

The king smiled. “Very well. The queen’s been looking for nice pieces for the upcoming balls. I’ll have her wear it to them. I’ll give the ‘royal stamp of approval’ for all pearls handled by you.”

Elia looked at her uncle curiously. “Uncle, you understood father’s intention from that gift alone?”

“I made an educated guess considering the current state of his territory...and we’ve known each other for so long. I’ve heard that some nobles are sabotaging things in your land, and that your parents have been showing up to parties, which they used to avoid at all cost. He brings a necklace to me now, and tells me he can get more. I can assume your father is trying to strengthen his influence and connections in high society in exchange for these pearls. That means Reinhart and Elise are here to ask me to make those dealings easier for them. They also understand what I can and would do very well. They wouldn’t request anything I couldn’t provide. Even if their request is a big one, I was sure they’d make it worth my while.” He gave them a mischievous grin.

Elia looked back and forth between her parents, who seemed to share an expression. She felt a swell of adoration for the strong trust they shared with the king.


“Anything else I can do for you?” the king asked.

“That’s plenty. There’s no point if we rely too much on you, anyway.”

“Thought so. If there’s nothing else you wanted to talk about, I have something in mind.”

“What is it?” Elise prompted.

“Ryoma Takebayashi.”

Elia showed the largest reaction of the three. She kept silent, but her expression betrayed the surprise of hearing a familiar name. Reinhart and Elise shared an understanding look shortly after.

“So you have heard about him,” Elise said.

“The rumors of crime in your territory had reached me. If it was any other territory, I might not have paid it any heed, but when my dear friend, sister, and niece are there... I couldn’t help but send an informant into the city who reports to me regularly.”

“That’s how you heard of Ryoma.”

“He’s putting on quite the show. Apparently, all rumors nowadays end up being about young Ryoma, somehow. By complete coincidence, my informant had found a job at Ryoma’s laundry shop to earn coin for his travel. In his latest report, he said he now served as the boy’s bodyguard.”

“Your man is that close to him?” Reinhart asked, thinking of the men and women he had sent to Ryoma.

“Funny enough, the boy knows he works for me, and keeps him close anyway.”

Reinhart’s jaw dropped. “What did you say?” he asked, disbelieving his ears.

Erias summarized how Hudom became Ryoma’s bodyguard.

“So Ryoma vetoed the others?”

“Long story short. I’m sure you’ll hear the details from your employees soon. Even though he knew my informant wouldn’t harm him, it takes some courage to keep a spy from an unknown source by his side. What’s more, he sent me detailed information about Gimul by sharing it all in front of my informant.”

“What is Ryoma thinking...” Elia muttered, to her parents’ silent agreement.

“It’s not a bad move. As the king, I naturally stand above any noble that may be interfering with your territory, and lean towards its favor. He understood this much and gave me information. Trying to play the king... If I had been more of an elitist... Well, it would come across as patriotic, actively cooperating with the king’s informant. It also wouldn’t make sense to create unnecessary rifts. He thought all of this through... Anyway, I like his guts! Why didn’t you tell me about this fun kid sooner?!”

“Because I knew you’d say that,” Elise said.

“He’s a good kid, but he sometimes does things out of the blue...”

Reinhart and Elise tried to imagine a meeting between Ryoma and the king, and failed. All they knew was that the meeting would not end well.

“Nothing good would come of meeting the kid? Is that all?”

“What else is there? I can’t even count how many times you roped me into your whims.”

“Fine... I want to meet him, but I don’t have the time, anyway. But let me tell you this: hold his reins tight.” Erias no longer carried any playful air. “I’m not the only one who caught wind of the name Ryoma Takebayashi and got a glimpse of his powers. Anyone in a decent circle, noble or commoner, would have heard by now. If you mean to protect him, keep him within arm’s reach. The kid isn’t exactly a straight arrow. I’m sure he means well for your house and Gimul at large, but he has more initiative and drive than most adults; his abilities give him great influence. Let’s say the kid goes rogue and something goes wrong. If he’s the only one who suffers for it, he deserves it. I don’t wish his actions to negatively affect you, but I can look past it if your family is the only one affected. But, worse comes to worst, if the boy becomes a threat to the country, I will not tolerate it. I would be forced...to execute him,” Erias declared with unwavering resolve and kingly aura.

Reinhart and Elise hardened at his change of tone.

“It will be okay,” Elia calmly interjected, garnering the eyes of the adults. “Oh... I interrupted you uncle, I’m so sorry.”

“No matter. Can you tell me why you think it will be all right?”

“I was thinking out loud...” Elia spoke, choosing her words. “Ryoma is a strange person. He starts bizarre projects, and he knows a lot of things but lacks common sense, sometimes. But Ryoma is a kind person. He can be caring in a strange or excessive way... At the very least, Ryoma always made sure that we and other people were safe, the best he could. Besides, Ryoma knows a lot of things we don’t, and he’s great at magic but strong even without it. Still, he never boasted about his abilities or tried to manipulate others by using them. He always tried to help other people through his knowledge and abilities.”

“Indeed, that matches what I hear from my reports,” Erias confirmed.

“Uncle, I know I have not met nearly as many people as you, or father, or mother have. But, I still met many new people as I started at the academy this year. I learned the hard way that some people, rich or poor, want to push their twisted logic, try to control others by force or their status alone, look down on others just because they were better at some minor thing... People who could barely hold a conversation. Ryoma isn’t like them. He sometimes seemed to lack common sense, but only because he had been a recluse for so long. He would always listen to criticism, and admitted fault when he had some. Ryoma is someone I can count on to reach a common understanding on anything. I heard that he had always consulted father or another adult before taking action. Isn’t that right, father? Mother?”

“That’s true.”

“He did ask this time. More of an ask for forgiveness, but still.”

“See! And Ryoma always writes that he enjoys living every day because people help him. I can’t imagine him trying to harm or even inconvenience others on purpose. So... What I’m trying to say is...” Elia failed to find more words, but kept stammering, becoming increasingly desperate to get her point across.

Her uncle burst into laughter. “I see, I see...”

“Uncle?”

“It’s all right. I get your point, Elia.”

“Did you really?”

“If my dear niece is so sure of it... Do you agree with her, Reinhart? Elise?”

The pair shared a look.

“Yes. We’ll keep an eye on him. Don’t worry.”

“Elia said it all.”

“Then I’ll trust you with him. He’ll get even more attention, good and bad, from here on out. Don’t let some noble steal him from under your nose,” Erias said as he sat up. He patted Elia’s head. “I didn’t think you’d protect him so fervently, Elia. Do you trust him that much?”

“What? Yes, of course... Why do you ask, uncle?”

“Hm... I do want to meet Ryoma Takebayashi...so I can sock that kid in the face.”

“Uncle?! Where is this coming from?!”

“Oh, never mind it. Why don’t we play a game? I have plenty of card games and board games.”

“Don’t change the subject, uncle!”

“That’s enough business for the day! Let’s play!”

The three were forced to play a few board games with the king before returning to their house in the capital.

The king, who managed to dodge Elia’s persecution, mused aloud to a thick stack of paperwork once he was alone. “Reinhart has all but won the battle... But his enemy won’t stand idly by in the meantime, especially if it’s who I think he is... Seeing their roundabout tactics, I doubt they’ll go after Eliaria and her family directly... But what about Reinbach? That would be suicide. The most likely to suffer a direct attack are those close to Reinhart. I would expect them to direct their attention to Ryoma making such a show... How will he overcome that? He’s very likely to survive an attack, if I’m right about him... If he’s that good a fighter, I need to take him by surprise to get my hit in... Could I slam him with a dropkick from the throne when he first enters and kneels? Perhaps...” Somehow, the king began seriously plotting how to strike Ryoma.



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