The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Scars of the Mind

Read chapter 123 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 122: Scars of the Mind Lucius was quite busy in the following weeks to come. Though the Demon King’s mountain rumbled ominously in the distance, waiting for the forces of the world to converge, at last, near its infested base, the Franks were more concerned with rebuilding rather than subjugation. In time the common citizenry returned, only to find the capital and their livelihoods buried under mounds of rubble. But they did not despair. They joined hands and picked up their shovels; they worked in tandem, slowly but surely unearthing all that had been lost. Bricks and stones could be toppled, but so long as the people remained, struggled, and persisted, buildings could be rebuilt; a home could be remade. Francia and the empire was only so because of its citizens, unlike what Pepin believed. It followed wheresoever the citizens willed it to be. Their moods were surprisingly bright despite facing such disaster, though Lucius supposed it wasn’t much of a surprise. No longer did they need to fear the demonic Evils. Four had wandered the land since his late Holiness, Pepin the Traitorous Puppet Who Which Betrayed His Own Kind, died five years ago; and it was coincidentally with his second death that the four were all vanquished, brought under heel by the Peers and holy otherworlders. Yes, indeed. Even with dirt stained nails and sweaty brows, the people celebrated, and for the first time in so very long they began to harbor a hope, a belief, that their dark times were soon to be past them. Only one scourge remained: the source of their suffering. But whilst they dreamed of a future bereft of fear, those of the nation’s administration worked quietly in the background, preparing for their lord’s official enthronement… as well as the High Tribunal’s trial. The players were not given much to do during this time, especially considering that some of them had even joined Ganelon’s side during his rebellious uprising. Thankfully the good Lucius was able to lighten everyone’s punishments by proclaiming that the ‘otherworldly heroes’ were merely tricked by the sleazy man’s deceitful words, and that they had not a clue of his true desires. This seemed to do the trick, and so the gentleman’s fellows were taken to a quaint temporary space just outside the capital’s borders where they could rest until the castle’s staff decided what to do with them. Lucius of course was exempt from this temporary exilement due to his status as Peer. It was during the gentleman’s first visit that he had the opportunity to thank his fellows’ savior, Mister Hemingway, in person. Medical tents were propped all about the makeshift village, the rooms at full occupancy from holding the injured; and the good hunter rushed to be of help alongside the other healers. The man wasn’t able to use any spells himself but he did know how to wrap a tight bandage. “Mister Hemingway! Reunions are ever such sweet joys,” Lucius said, walking up and bidding him a gentlemanly bow. “Your timing couldn’t have been any better, my ruggish friend. How do you fare? It must have been quite the surprise to arrive at the capital during such a precarious period.” The rugged man in the cowboy hat broke out into a wide smile. “Heya, Lucius. Figured I’d be seeing your handsome mug soon. And boy… surprised doesn’t cut it one bit. One moment I was walking through the gates, ya know, hoping to lend my hunting expertise to those fine priest fellers in white, when the whole damn place started shaking and rumbling. Barely managed to keep my footing straight before the city just went upside down — looked straight out of some kinda action movie. Luckily I was a park ranger before this whole game stuff, so rescuing folks came pretty naturally. Used to be there was always some idiot who managed to get himself stuck up a tree or under a landslide.” “Hoho, I see. Whatever brought you to the capital might I ask? Last I remember, you were planning to hunt a beast out in the wetlands.” “Yep, tracked down