DZN Ch 9

“He’s not someone who’s easily swayed by others, in any sense, so you don’t have to worry about that. I may not particularly like him, but I’m certain about that much.”9a6a591818157732

Matthias stared at Ruan 6b61e03f06 for a moment, then e406660244 nodded in agreement.43f541d4ca4fef43

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“Alright. If you say so, then it must be true. You know him best.”6c2af69cbd3ed08a

After all, Ruan 162f83f99c was the one ef953050c5 who had to e78c1a9324 escort Calix personally, ac2692e398 and he was 23d8a5791b also the best 15b640efeb at handling him.4f6c381851e5a718

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Matthias seemed to give e7efc60b5a Ruan full authority over fd7430ab6f the matter, as if 2f14ca7abb to say it was 855c1adf44 his responsibility. Ruan looked 5f8c7cfa51 at him cb75daf7e1 expectantly.998787e604a54eaa

“The knights’ deployments and schedules have changed, so check them in advance. And try not to fight too much with His Highness.”49b977b5d824fb98

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“How dare I fight with His Highness?”8c6ed1a2dafdaec1

Matthias wanted to 8305686356 point out that d0adae3bae every encounter between a4e6cae4ef Ruan and Calix dd5982777e was practically a bdc60458df fight, but neither 7d32b1a1eb of them probably 1823dfa2fe even considered it c22aed8e49 as such.cba3f71594cb033d

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That was the 1434a52c6d problem.bfeaef035af0a3da

“Ruan.”c1dde20cdf4ed528

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“Yes, sir.”d76cd9eedb021342

“I believe you’ll carry out your duties diligently and responsibly. But now that you’re a Deputy Commander, it’s time to graduate from the nickname ‘Mad Dog.'”654bf9bdd6e9dafc

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Ruan immediately protested at the mention of ‘Mad Dog,’ the nickname that had led to the title of ‘The Crown Prince’s Hound.’4b7aff115ae6ecb6

“I have a lot to say about that. Everyone’s mistaken. The only person I’ve ever bitten is His Highness.”22533b977edc626e

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Ruan argued that he wasn’t actually a dog who would bite just anyone.ac326a19975350cd

The rumors from his trainee days had been twisted. “Mad Dog,” implying he bit anyone when provoked, had evolved into “The Dog that Barks at the Crown Prince,” and finally, “The Crown Prince’s Hound.” It was incredibly unfair.bdd2fca9d53cf62f

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He admitted to biting Calix’s arm, but there had been a good reason. Matthias cut off Ruan’s justified explanation with a chuckle.32b118c69fbe6086

“People don’t bite people. Dogs bite.”1bee01c4a71b05e4

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“I touched his foot when he told me not to touch his hand, and then he told me not to touch his foot either, so I used my mouth.”bc4c343f50aee38c

Ruan recounted d42bab99df the incident e749bb50e8 from six de26d814ac years ago 4490c6b6c5 in detail, a3e7ecf9df mentioning that de49efa657 the adjutant 84a8ba3fde had said 1dd4124178 those words 439af2f226 himself. Matthias clicked his tongue, f430f257ed as if that was 604a61b344 even more problematic.19af928dea4f1cca

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“That’s exactly the problem. His Highness already has a lot of pent-up frustration towards you and is particularly sensitive, so I’m telling you not to react impulsively. Especially since the schedule leading up to the Founding Festival will be demanding, and you both might be on edge. There’s no guarantee that last year’s incident won’t repeat itself.”66165d72836849be

Matthias’s tone suddenly became serious.5861c133b289496e

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His concern reminded Ruan of the incident that had led to Michael’s dismissal last year, and Ruan’s expression grew complex.95f291f93703edad

“Then why didn’t you exclude Michael?”940a4616d1b9153d

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“There was pressure from the Ehrnhardt Marquisate. Their goal is for him to serve in the Second Knight Order and then transfer to the First Knight Order when His Highness ascends the throne.”04d7570f4b6db41a

“Even after what happened?”55e7f6d03a2de85e

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“It seems the Ehrnhardt Marquisate couldn’t pass up this opportunity. His Highness favored Michael as well.”9354e7875bb99695

“If that’s truly the case, then it’s fortunate…”d959347e4b8c0d70

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If that had been the only reason, Ruan would have handed over his position to Michael and left the Second Knight Order. But there was another reason he couldn’t do that back then.4d08bab21c99ae34

Something Matthias still didn’t know.e9c5c7eb88439e69

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“I overlooked it back then, even though neither you nor Michael mentioned it… Is there something I should know, even now?”5e9cb3bc3dfee03e

Matthias urged e695fd0e01 Ruan to ab40fed647 speak, but 1c0dfa43e9 he quickly 5215120e19 changed the a2d2227e7d subject.9ee4226847939314

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“No, sir. It’s something I can handle on my own. There’s no need for you to know.”5871f2794402d163

“Alright, then. That’s fine.”fca5a218f575b123

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“Then, I’ll take my leave.”7cb940dac18ed84a

Leaving Matthias’s office, Ruan saw Michael and Daniel in the hallway and gestured for them to follow. The other three seemed to have already gone to their assigned positions.b62743f52a8e3c6b

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He was ac2283762e impressed that 56e9f5c7c9 they moved 0fd6cf249a without a 7410e95a3f word. This was why 7ab35e2f2a experienced knights were efa8374711 valuable.45deb34bfcc2c06f

Although things 223b8b8b70 were still 075060da32 awkward, he b2111f88ee decided to e04cb49bc6 ignore the 27e6225f02 past, grateful a1e46aa50d for the b8f8ddfff9 relief they 06d580fcaa brought. As he walked briskly 96f0650919 down the hall, he 3825ffea60 saw a familiar face 53ed16af3c approaching.e444cfab15cb6266

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“What are you doing here?”d5ad18fb57725910

Ruan greeted Nox brightly, wondering if he’d also been summoned. Nox smiled with his usual amiable expression.3a04c1563bb19482

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“I’m on vacation starting today, so I came to see you… Where are you headed?”da644c741394e09b

Ruan’s voice rose at the mention of vacation.5fab466797dab982

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“Vacation?”01758b3a484e279e

“Yeah. The preparations for the Founding Festival are starting soon, so this was the only time I could get off.”0bc9e5b638db90bc

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“Why are you the only one getting a vacation?”ba2acfa04827af5d

“Ah…”5b6a8afc00d4cc15

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Nox gave a d21c95832b wry smile, realizing 468d8c4c83 the reason.5700cda1274c0d3f

Even after five years in the Royal Guard, there were many things Ruan still didn’t know.36554112a8c72035

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“It’s not just me. Everyone except you in the Royal Guard can take vacations.”78fdbaf48614181c

Nox delivered the cold, hard truth to Ruan, who hadn’t had a proper break, let alone a vacation, in five years because of Calix. Ruan muttered in dejection.086ad606f52a75c2

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“Damn, I should have joined the 17th Knight Order…”fccd13f43b762345

“There’s no point dwelling on that now… I was just going to say hello, but I’ll leave if you’re busy.”ce1e0072bbc6f00f

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Nox started to 140235e1fb back away, but 1f413042fa Ruan, after a 4ee150ef71 moment of thought, 219a2015e6 quickly grabbed him.49121f50c1f765c3

“Wait. I actually had something to ask you. Michael, Daniel, go ahead to Esche Castle. I’ll follow shortly.”dd9a80e26647b60b

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Ruan signaled to 16f53dfe0b the two knights, 8872ffad48 who, having worked f5a14603fd with him before, 6ac325459f quickly understood and dbd3fbfc1b headed down the dd13020083 hallway.2703cc44ea4779e5

Pulling Nox a4f38b66da by the cded6a2261 wrist, Ruan 956453883c led him 4295d2ae4a into his b34e1caf91 nearby office 865afc63af and hurried 2c6f2d6a87 to his 3167c99c64 desk. Nox, noticing his 94232157dc urgency, asked,cb3ba01a40e26e05

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“What is it? What did you want to talk about?”c5d1fd41bc7340c4

“You’re going to the Quillen estate, right?”703bd7446f9bfbf7

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“Where else would I go?”3c1e616ce22f5f0a

“Then, I have a favor to ask.”eb01bd14a180571e

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After confirming Nox’s destination, Ruan opened a locked desk drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to Nox.d632a76a155ff990

“Give this to Maya.”9878f4129e0eb80e

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Nox tilted his head at the mention of the woman Ruan had known since childhood, who was currently staying at the Quillen Baron’s estate.912d26d29cf0e67d

“…Maya?”fe06aac767c11cd4

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“Yes.”b633ced21c4bc7a3

“I’ll be returning to the estate anyway, so it’s fine, but they inspect all letters when leaving the Royal Palace…”01da2bc5b1b2ab4e

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Nox was implying that he needed to know whether the contents of the letter were appropriate for other knights to see. Ruan’s letters to Maya usually contained more than just pleasantries, hence Nox’s concern. Ruan nodded, as if to say Nox could open it and check.5466f9eed48dbf13

Having observed the inspection of letters and belongings of those entering and leaving the Royal Palace while in the 17th Knight Order, Nox opened the letter at Ruan’s signal and read its contents.9e6503988a668e4c

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The overall tone was ordinary. It started with reassurance that Ruan was doing well and shouldn’t be worried, followed by inquiries about Maya’s well-being, and ended with wishes for her good health.0d4deac09930b586

Up to that point, it was straight out of a textbook on “How to Write Elegant Letters.”26481fbe8765d4ba

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The only slightly unusual part was at the end, where Ruan mentioned wanting to introduce someone he’d been waiting for a long time after the Founding Festival and asked Maya to inform the other “uncles” as well.16b0ca220d1b23f3

The content 5a194a7d15 itself was 3529e8c7fe perfectly harmless.1a910771e336dd00

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However…23dcafa05845658f

“…You wrote this knowing that knights would be inspecting it, right?”3bf733e1e3a4d8aa

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“Of course. I’ve been through this several times.”3f4c2f66802aaa09

Ruan replied, confident that the seemingly innocuous content wouldn’t cause any problems. Nox hesitated for a moment before asking again,573546416d5bad25

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“You also know that for knights directly serving the royal family, even if the letter’s content seems trivial, a report is always sent up the chain of command, right?”2bea1d8c56f61922

“I’m a 5-year veteran.”f662d8ea482af844

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Ruan crossed his arms, implying he wasn’t naive. Nox nodded in understanding.a671dac9546dadfb

“…Alright. So, I just need to deliver this to Maya?”028667f0a14ace26

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“Yes.”92bd1b4893467c7f

Folding the letter again, 43f2457563 Nox asked with a 5c452d0597 slightly concerned expression,3281c00199a5976d

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“By introducing someone to the ‘uncles,’ you mean you’re gathering them?”9b5e9f1c8993d71c

“I have to report to them, regardless of how things turn out.”8200cbccfef0137c

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Nox knew that the “uncles” also had business with the man Ruan was searching for, so he dropped the subject.e5ed63afec8b9a58

“Okay. I’ll let my father know in advance.”4fd03339ade62cca

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“Thanks. It won’t cause any trouble for the Baron.”1b30378f4f80140d

“It’s not that. I’m worried about you. You tend to focus on only one thing.”7f6e9505f0ae2e0e

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This time, Ruan readily admitted to Nox’s concern. His father had always worried about his tendency to fixate on a single goal. It was good in that he was focused and goal-oriented, but it also made him single-minded.bb1506feff145971

As evidenced by the past six years, where he’d lived for the sole purpose of finding that man.34de582fa90efa5d

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