The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 88: Chapter 87: Journey's End, Beginnings Anew

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Chapter 87: Journey's End, Beginnings Anew The next day, Lucius woke up at the ever elegant time of six-o-clock. Some of the Franks had already begun their morning duties, while the players remained slumbering in their makeshift abodes. The gentleman’s companions had yet to wake; and so, he met up with Sir Renaud and the two newly arrived Peers for a bit of breakfast. Lucius set up the table, which he didn’t even need to buy from the store thanks to his upgraded skill (how convenient!), and soon laid out a refreshing assortment of baked goods, pastries, fruits, and of course a large pot of tea. The younger man, Sir Astolfo, gawked at the sight in awe before seating himself down. “Wow, you get to feast like this every day, Renaud? I’m jealous. Angelica and I only had dried rations to eat for years while the Evils were still wandering around.” Angelica smiled and hung her head back in recollection. “Come now, Astolfo. Our duties weren’t entirely difficult. We had scarce need to engage the Evils unless they approached a village, and even then we had the comfort of being near familiar soil. Things were much different during the Holy War. I can still remember the difficulties back then: the meagre food, the harsh desert heat, the dunes of sand that sprawled on without end. A few years of tailing the great demons are nothing compared to those hardships.” Astolfo rolled his eyes and bid her a drawn-out sigh. “You always make the war sound so terrible. How can it be any worse than what we’re dealing with now?” “Well, it’s simple. Our enemies back then were our fellow man.” A grim air settled between the group. Renaud coughed awkwardly into his fist and sipped his tea, while Angelica stared blankly at her plate. “It is much easier now to retain morale,” she continued, speaking with a dry tone. “After all, the foes we face are undoubtedly malicious. Destroying them is a matter of protecting our nation, our people. There is no need to think about what is right or wrong; we merely need to raise our blades. However, there was no such certainty in the slaughter waged by Pepin. Us paladins and servants of the order were forced to carry on, knowing that the blood coating our armor was of the innocent.” Astolfo stayed quiet for a moment and fiddled with his fingers. “At least it’s over now. If it weren’t for Renaud over here—” The young man shot him a harsh glare “—and that snake, Ganelon, we would’ve fixed this nation a long time ago.” Renaud leaned back and let free a bitter laugh. “How utterly naive, but I expect nothing less from your faction. You know not the extent my uncle and I have endeavored to protect this land.” “Protect? All you’ve done is exploit it for your own greed! You’ve embezzled Roncevaux’s supplies, bribed the judges and clerics of the Holy Order, and even conspired with the Saracens to prevent us from fighting back against the demons. All of this selfish garbage, and you have the audacity to spit in my face and act like some sort of savior?” “I have done no such thing.” Astolfo slammed his fist onto the table. “You’re refusing it? Well damn, looks I was wrong. I thought that maybe some part of you had changed, but you’re still the same slimy jerk as usual.” Lucius and Lady Angelica briefly glanced at each other. Things were becoming a bit too heated; and if not stopped, then it likely wouldn’t be long before the two came to blows. To their surprise, however, Renaud didn’t react and upheld his same unshaken demeanor. “You are misunderstanding me,” he said. “I do not deny what I or my uncle have done, but never once have I believed myself to be a savior or messiah. My goals were selfish, correct, and in my heart I knew that I was merely acting for my own self interest rather than for the good of the people. I may be a scoundrel, but I am not a hypocritical one. Not anymore.” Astolfo was stunned by Renaud’s bold declaration and staggered back into his seat, unsure what to say. It was Angelica who addressed the frail man now