The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 127: Chapter 126: My Name is Karolus

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Chapter 126: My Name is Karolus It was on the last day of the month that Karolus ordered all of Francia’s officials to assemble in the throne room. Many were caught by surprise, for never before had their lord acted with such decisiveness, and those who saw him after one peculiar rainy night spoke of a change in his steps: his air, his voice. The Karolus of before merely tried to replicate what he thought an emperor should be or how they should portray themselves. Now, the people were met with a strange assurance. The one before them with soft smiles and bright eyes was the true appearance of Francia’s young ruler. When they gathered on the determined date, the emperor gave them a command. “From now on, I wish to be recorded as Karolus, not Charlemagne,” he said. “It was my mother’s gift in the hopes that I would become someone great. My father, too, chose a similar name, but his intentions were different. Let everyone here be witness that I will never follow in his footsteps. I want to honor my mother, and my sister, and become someone who is respected not because of his strength, not because of fame or fortune or conquest, but because he encourages everyone to be truly great. That is my will and my promise as Karolus Magnus, the 92nd emperor of Francia.” Thus was it writ in the historybooks, the proclamation of Karolus that would serve as the foundation for his future reign. And it didn’t take long before he made good on his word. From that day forth, Karolus would regularly visit the townspeople and roam the city streets, taking in the sights, their struggles, with his own eyes so that he could better understand them and what they needed. Of course, Lucius was by his side all the while, at times even guiding the boy toward places otherwise hidden from public view. No longer was the young emperor satisfied with only reading his books and fairytales. He wanted to experience both the good and the bad, the pains of life as well as its joys, so that he would always be reminded that the world wasn’t just his little corner in the castle. There was a wider land out there; and though he couldn’t yet explore it, those far-off wonders would always be waiting for him. Just as those he loved would await his return. For Francia was his home, no matter where he went or how long he’d part from it. But before Karolus could embark on an adventure of his own, there was one scourge that still remained, still threatening his subjects and plaguing the continent in unease. Yes, the Demon King yet lived. High above the corrupted forests and nestled at the mountain’s very peak, the source of all suffering rested in its den of evil. The nations of the continent would never know peace until the mysterious fiend was slain. Time marched on, and soon another month had come and gone. Lucius was quite busy during this time, for he had the honor of preparing a special day for a very special occasion. It was to be Karolus’s birthday soon, his sixteenth. For the Franks this was a matter of utmost importance, for it would also be the day that their young lord finally became an adult. The people hung colorful ribbons of gold and white and black all around the city now that the recovery efforts had, at last, been finished; and what better to celebrate its revival than with celebration and good cheer? The players were also invited to partake and were formally allowed back inside the castle. Not a sober gut was to be seen as the merrymaking continued through the week, and Lucius’s fellows all had fun in their own way. Mili busked near the courtyard, playing her music. Marco played a native Frankish sport called Blitzball in a local tournament. Harper took up wood carving lessons and tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to make figurines of her companions (maybe using the fire axe wasn’t the best of ideas). Mister Crowley and Miss Rhodes, meanwhile, were tending to the perturbed Miss Enapay, who had been making great progress along the road of mental recovery. The experi