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Ruler Vol 6 Chapter 7

Author: Anit666

Editor: Weasalopes

【Sam’s POV】

7 uneventful days had passed since we left the Painia Duchy for the Imperial Capital.

Well, we did encounter some bandits, but with Lantz with us, they weren’t worth shit. Usually bandits don’t attack Royal entourages because of the guards accompanying them, but Cecile and Lantz decided against bringing them because not only would a regiment slow us down, it was also unnecessary because (apparently) we could handle anything thrown at us.

We soon arrived at the Southern Gate of the city, the one which was used by travellers and merchants coming from other cities or countries. There was a long line ahead of us, but due to being the emissary of the Royal Family (as apparent by the crest of the Royal Family painted on our carriage), we were immediately let through without any checking.

Cavalry was swiftly arranged to escort us to the Imperial Castle, so we arrived rather quickly.

“Finally here, huh?” I muttered while stretching my stiff joints.

Damn, I’m definitely not returning by a carriage. I’ll run instead.

“Seems like it.” Cecile replied, without doing anything to get rid of her stiff joints.

I guess royalty really is different. Lantz was the same, and so was the coachman, making me the odd one out here.

We were led inside the humongous palace. The walls of the corridor I passed through were lined up with several portraits, probably of the Kings of the past. The middle-aged man we were following brought us to what seemed to be a waiting room. A large portrait of the King was hung on the wall opposing the door.

“Please wait here while we make the necessary arrangements for the meeting with the King. It might take around two hours. Refreshments have been arranged for the meantime.” The man bowed and then left us in the room.

Of course, as is customary, we would have to wait for the King. I would have been surprised if we had met the King right away.

Now, how do I kill time? Cecile left us saying she had to get ‘ready’ for the audience with the King. She probably has to dress up according to the Royal fashion sense.

Apparently- and thankfully- I didn’t have to go through that because as an Adventurer, I was not expected to follow the rules of the high society.

That left just me and Lantz. The Secretary of the King did show me to a lavish waiting room, but just sitting and waiting for two hours would bore me to death.

I’m not really attached to my life, I’ll admit, but that would still be a pretty pathetic way to die, no?

“Hey Lantz, what do you plan to do now?” I grabbed him by his shoulder as he was leaving the room.

“I’m going to meet and get chewed out by my Secretary.” He sighed.

“You being scolded? Sounds fun. Lemme join.”

About time this bastard got his just reward.

“Sure, whatever.” He shrugged.

And so, together, we went down a hallway and took some turns, all the while talking about weather and such, until we reached a rather normal looking door.

Lantz knocked on it twice and entered without waiting for the permission to do so. Now, I dunno whether it’s alright to do so, but since he’s the Commander here I think it should be fine to follow him.

So, I entered the room as well.

“Hey there, Leilani.” Lantz greeted a woman sitting behind a desk full of stacks of papers. “Been some time, eh?”

“Well, well.” The woman looked up at us and took off her glasses. “If it isn’t the good-for-nothing-lazy-bastard-who-left-me-to-do-all-the-work Commander. You are right, it has been some time.”

Oof.

“Ha-haha, you remain as foul mouthed as ever, I see.” Lantz laughed meekly.

“Well, since you’re here, sign and stamp these.” She pointed at 4 stacks of papers.

“That’s going to be a big no from me.” Lantz swiftly turned around and made a beeline for the door.

“Hey, stop!”

Of course, I wasn’t going to let him. So I stealthily and strategically placed my foot in such a way that Lantz tripped over it, and fell with his face down.

“You too, Samael?!”

Yes, et tu, Lantz, et tu.

“Nice work!” Leilani exclaimed as she caught up and trampled on his back. “Uh, mister…?”

“I’m Samael. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” I gave a courteous bow.

“Thank you, Mr. Samael.”

“Think nothing of it. I just want him to suffer.”

“Looks like we’re on the same page.” She smirked.

Oh? Could this woman be one of my people?

“Seems like you’ve suffered too.”

“I take it that so have you.”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Well, let’s take our time enjoying this situation, shall we? I hope you’ll allow me to stay here.”

“Ah, by all means, please do so.” She grinned as we both looked down at the pathetic Lantz.

With his escape routes cut off, Lantz was forced into the chair Leilani was sitting in earlier and was handed lots of papers which needed his signatures. With a look on his face that looked like he’d burst into tears any moment, he started going through the documents.

Though contrary to what I expected, he did his work meticulously.

“Would you like some tea?” Leilani asked as she joined me on the sofa opposite Lantz’s desk.

“Sure.”

With practised movements she poured tea into two cups and handed one to me.

“What a pleasant sight.” She muttered while staring at the pathetic figure of Lantz.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I took a sip.

“Anyway, you are the Samael who won the tournament, right?”

“Yup.”

“I see. So, you are the man my sister has chosen for herself.”

Hmm?

Hmm…

…

“I see. So, you’re a member of the Royal family.”

“Yes.” She smiled. “The Second Princess, Leilani Constantine. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Shit.

“My apologies for acting overly familiar with you, princess-”

“Don’t worry.” Lantz interfered. “Right now, she’s just the Secretary of the First Order of Knights.”

“Shut up and do your work.” She glared at him.

“Yes, ma’am.” Lantz sighed and got back to his work.

“He’s right. Right now, I’m just this useless man’s secretary, and your comrade who enjoys his suffering.”

F.

Only now did I take a good look at her. She was a blonde with a perfect, chiselled face that’s worthy to go to war for (for normal humans, that is). Donning a military uniform with disciplined perfection, a warm and gentle aura surrounded her which didn’t suit her attire. However, her eyes held a sharp, all-seeing gaze that threatened to pierce through all facades.

“I see. Then I shall respect your wishes.” I nodded.

“Thank you.” She smiled. “Is the tea to your liking? I was told that you were rather particular about your tea.”

“It’s splendid.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

A brief, comfortable silence descended upon the room as we stared at Lantz doing some actual work. In that silence we shared a moment that made me feel that we had somehow gotten closer than before.

Of course, that didn’t last for long.

The door slammed open and someone walked inside.

“I heard he’s back! Where is he?!” That someone exclaimed.

“…Does this office serve as a lost kid centre?”

I mean, what else would explain the presence of this brat here?

A girl, probably 11 to 12 years old, with… what is that colour? Red?

⟦That’s Cardinal Red.⟧

⟦I think it’s Carmine.⟧

⟦Hmm… you might be right. You sure know a lot, for a man.⟧ Simone grumbled.

⟦There was a time when in a group with three women I was given the title of the best waifu. Of course, I would have the skills to back it up.⟧

⟦Women lost to you? Really?⟧

⟦I’m on the level of a professional. Of course, normal women would lose to me.⟧

They were hopeless causes, so it’s a given I wouldn’t lose to them in girl power.

Anyway.

The 12 years old brat with Carmine hair barged in unannounced. The moment her eyes caught Lantz, she broke into a run and grabbed him by his collar.

“How dare you leave me behind, you bastard?!” She sounded just like a woman complaining to her lover for leaving her behind.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Time to call 9-1-fucking-1.

“And the idiot couple goes at it again…” Leilani sighed.

Wait, what? Seriously?

Fuck FBI, I’m calling Thanos. Where the hell is my phone?

““Who are you calling a couple?!”” Lantz and the brat screamed at the same time.

“See? They’re totally in sync.”

Oh my fucking gosh…

“I’m truly disappointed in you, Lantz…”

“Wait! You’re totally misunderstanding this!” He tried to push aside the brat but accidentally touched her chest.

Though it’s another story that the chest was barren.

“Kyah! What’re you doing, bastard?!” The brat pulled back her fist and punched Lantz in the face, thus sending him flying…?

What?

“Is this how you behave with a Captain?!”

Nani? Captain? Who? This brat? What has this world come to?

“Allow me to introduce her.” Leilani walked towards the brat and put her hand over her head. “This is Sarah Amare, Captain of the 7^th company of the First Order of Knights.”

Wao.