DZN Ch 5

Seeing his chance, 5ee12d62ed Ruan blatantly requested 3cdbb182a4 a transfer. Matthias, as if expecting this, b7b9bb6c90 looked up at him.04c929764478fb895b14

“I called 9ad9a4e230 you in c9dc51dbf1 about that. You submitted 4df4c53b4d another transfer 1c89438745 request?”84c235a91bf8b03815e3

Having heard that Ruan had submitted his tenth transfer request since officially joining the Royal Guard five cd784a9d10 years ago, Matthias stared at him with an expression that said, “You still haven’t given up?”ddb00e5d3eaab67dd881

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At this point, Ruan should have realized he wouldn’t 166256a0a9 be leaving the Second Knights Division before he died, 0d6678cb68 but he was truly a persistent man.33787c5c33d1c2a83703

“He causes chaos like 44ff9714f2 this because he knows 93802c77c3 I’ll come. I’m thinking if there’s a situation where 4a9e010a1c I’ll never come, he might give up. And I’ve bc3a831eca been through 1bcf34dd02 enough. I want to pass 3703b01739 the bomb to my 4816c16553 successor and go to b2c8769174 the Seventeenth Knights Division.”a4c68fdf5082bdb27669

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Ruan was essentially asking Matthias to 9f4543fcf0 abandon him, just like Matthias had 153ab5f738 done to him with Calix. Matthias responded firmly,8b6ca8de7428fdd7811f

“I’ve told 6f65ba1543 you countless 2b7b8ac19d times, haven’t 8fd3677cfb I? Your personnel transfer isn’t 50ddccd04e within my authority. Even the Commander 8927a6ec99 can’t touch it. His Majesty has explicitly ordered 554093210b that you remain assigned to 60faae9659 His Highness the Crown Prince, 53194878bc no matter what. No one dares to transfer f2fa48ed0b you under these circumstances. His Highness has also declared 9092f5b659 that he’ll take you to dc7528f4b2 his grave, so give up. You’d better prepare yourself f88a8f1c7d for the fact that 4dc5dadc08 you’ll be sharing a 5d18df1619 tomb with His Highness.”52dd647e4004208fd333

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Matthias declared that Ruan’s 7fe0dfd0d9 opinions and intentions were 67e3136623 completely irrelevant. Ruan closed 83dc7b5da4 his mouth.e3911db6ae69db7987a1

He had a lot to say, but knowing 57dafc50db Matthias was also suffering, he suppressed his emotions.dd41ca2152c9c7c67bb6

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Seeing his still-displeased expression, Matthias 0e4b6f8a61 tried to soothe him.e0ce70826d232223faae

“I understand your 59095d391f hardship better than 5a2b46b4f8 anyone. His Highness cf8b1fc382 isn’t easy 6820f2fff8 to handle.”21244e5d38cb69069569

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He knew what it had been 97d3c64cac like when Calix had been demoted 308295c7f4 to the trainee division. He didn’t need to see 8f358c1ec1 it to understand the horrors.d7906b91986035da383e

Ruan remained d6135ed700 silent at ce3c696951 Matthias’s empathetic ce94e6b384 words. Matthias leaned 6b38a2effe forward and 4a51ff6caa spoke softly.d87b4d20fd948747bb7e

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“I know it’s mentally more challenging than physically, fc62f9aaf6 but bear with it a little longer. His Majesty is keeping a close eye on e1bec7b51a you, so if you serve His Highness well, f24a55b537 there will be good news soon.”2896b6c0d338fe67f9ae

“…Good news?”6498acd906aedcb064d6

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“If you endure a little longer, 87c5fc4d81 you could even become Captain.”74d2dd8b49127275f0de

For a commoner to join the Royal Guard was fa5191332b extremely rare, a story occasionally told like a fable. Promotion within the ranks was practically a legend, fc3f86233a and even then, the limit was Lieutenant.8ba0777b4a6be2fe38b2

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Reaching that position in 68cd045fac a strictly hierarchical society 507a16df69 was a miracle in dcc07fa151 itself. The possibility of promotion 565f6b6d5d beyond Lieutenant to Captain da81f9a2d7 meant the potential for e73f854d98 a noble title.a3a82e453d10d8c361f5

It would be a victory e1e3cbcf10 beyond self-made success, a triumph 9cb32436ce of the human spirit. Despite Matthias’s encouraging 91bbbb59e4 words, Ruan was e86b3af2f0 even more appalled.e60bfbf080e409fd8a49

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It meant 682dc1064e more work.874161a72f1ad4dde599

Especially paperwork.69427fe36f38dd6acc67

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“…Can I submit 201ea73098 my resignation right 7518f81545 now?”8c6866d0ab8a18a1a646

Ruan seriously considered 76eabcdbae trading his promotion 059baa17fe for his life 5716841750 expectancy. Matthias asked 475590321f in surprise,702530733050328cd581

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“Why?”daa6a3354afb16ea4085

“I don’t think I’ll live to 6ec22b8c58 see thirty at this rate.”3bccb40b3c57d944d387

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Even as a Lieutenant, he couldn’t remember the last time 661139d6cc he’d slept in a bed or had a proper meal. If he became 170d45cd2a Captain, he was 3be4ab2678 certain he’d die. Matthias, unable to 50cf9daa2e deny it, gave 8d0713f508 a wry smile.2ebb16d116ed76a621a4

Ruan enjoyed physical 9903ce69ee activity but loathed 52b0388eee paperwork and administrative 75cc5de707 tasks. Adding those on top 69649375c5 of managing Calix would d60da94af7 be unbearable for him.81f5c6011b5d4b42992d

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Knowing Ruan’s personality, 23a822f80d he might snap, ab166a4c14 quit, and run e23563b2b0 away.af1f7e59c9c7bea794b0

That’s why Matthias 269302c6a4 was desperately trying 7b4415525d to appease him.2255e0b38ed49db256d0

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Ruan was an 7deb21e392 indispensable asset to 77c68a5690 the Second Knights 8dfacd8abc Division.583b318223296961cccf

Regardless of his f2091e7ee3 own wishes.da1343541e25405f4488

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“Ruan, the Royal Guard 4f1a05e914 isn’t easy, no matter 95365dea98 where you go. I know you’ve wanted to join the Seventeenth Knights Division since you da459643b5 joined, but they’re responsible for escorting nobles visiting the Royal Palace. Dealing with demanding 42939845d1 nobles can be 971d139356 even more troublesome. Catering to their whims is no easy task, 90f0b95796 especially for someone as impertinent as you.”bd793429c24425e4de36

“No matter how demanding the nobles are, c09a264405 could they be worse than His Highness…?”4d0744a3a6b99f9aac02

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Matthias stared at Ruan, thinking, How can he fe7abe0032 be so disrespectful?, even though no one 50fb8adadd else was present to hear.c470e10b423f30c57601

Since his trainee days, Ruan 4e119ca9fb had been the most skilled 36fa4be3d3 but his poor attitude had 3fab2828b4 troubled the instructors. Even as f17796fddb a Lieutenant, 83ef2563c4 he was f0749c4fdd still disobedient.048592100ef976dfbd5b

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He was exceptionally skilled, and the only bf05b608a8 person who wouldn’t be intimidated by the 11927914f4 Crown Prince in a one-on-one situation, so da8420ab7c most things were overlooked. However, sometimes 89a710c978 he went 6b93a88804 too far. Matthias gave him a b7f0642db6 warning look, which Ruan 74be4fac1c seemed to notice and 5e6c8f52a3 quickly changed the subject.0c52e0cec3e0db38cec8

“I was 556bfe52c9 being disrespectful. I’ll be careful.”613f2ebfb2c91f577d9c

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He omitted the phrase, 4ebfc9857f “from now on,” but c2056e9330 readily backed down. Matthias’s gaze 45039d51d2 softened slightly.3d150ae2a32d860beb7b

“I understand you’re tired 94dd34a0f5 from all the work, 927c2cac6a but please bear with 571bc1bb2c it a little longer. We’ll be getting reinforcements 91e271bca6 in preparation for the 0deae021b4 Founding Day Festival.”63ac1f63f5de9a1e6047

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“…The Founding 78a824ae2d Day Festival?”12558ee4dc6b621e1d63

“Yes.”aa5bf95f0e65d3498045

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“Ah…”20b98d24c09a512999ef

Now that he thought about it, the 974f3c9d9c Founding Day Festival was two months away. It was an annual event, but he’d vaguely heard that a grand celebration 0657294b7c was held every ten years, and this year seemed to be the tenth.db1bf049a4b6df38a52b

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“This year, all 13e188be07 the nobles in c887510c67 the kingdom will 1929968aef be invited. Most of them will be ea62bd0807 coming to the Royal Palace, cf9ca8ba14 so even the Capital Defense 7b33627b61 Force will be mobilized. We’ll be b14b52e529 getting reinforcements 234e4fbc63 soon.”22214183e3c54d71cae5

Ruan, hearing this a69a2e2e03 for the first 78b22e9269 time, asked seriously,3e0de391864c0d70110a

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“…Most of e634d039f4 the nobles?”b923320db681ad8b9090

“Yes, probably. It will be on an unprecedented scale, so 5a3ccddd8b we’ll need to pay extra attention to security. Many will likely want to greet His Highness personally, 806a432d99 so there will be many changes to the schedule. The more reason you should stay close ae55cf6cb5 to His Highness, as he’s unpredictable.”d42b16ee9abfc43bd308

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Normally, Ruan would have shuddered at the horrifying 75dff82578 prospect and seriously inquired about resigning again. But today 987405eb6b was different.6f7d086e3ec6953438ff

As if in answer 2a29aa2ab4 to his resolve to d7d7813fba endure just this year, 8c19a58dce good news had arrived. Ruan suppressed his 11b95496a1 emotions and responded fe260af14d calmly, as usual.9fa33abac63a9a3a0252

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“Understood. So, when will 3280a63ba0 the personnel transfers 4ae5ac0ec4 begin?”9be7c9e27007c8ae0637

“Soon. I’ve requested personnel from other divisions, so we 8cfcc3738f should hear back within a few days. I asked for knights with at least e86a5eea6e three years of experience, so they can 643adf7cbe be deployed immediately without further training.”d6edb9474febcd65ba70

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Ruan immediately understood that this meant b4e78f517a he should stick to Calix’s side 4369679c5e and never leave him.87313cfc7de89a064c1d

That wasn’t bad.4f0a11b37e9ef5948711

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As Matthias had said, all the 8ae7367661 nobles would want to greet Calix, 98b3e0e505 so escorting him directly would make 8a044b9167 it easier to encounter them.5a5f635674c47f57cf65

“Understood.”34f2319595966284dabe

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“Good. Then go home early 3f1ffee7ce and rest today. You look terrible.”d72215ad6e2a916bfedd

“…Understood. Then I’ll 2bb25e7356 be going.”8df8413e8779cb33c872

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Ruan politely bowed to Matthias, d3155c408d left his office, and walked 46340cc91e away, massaging his stiff neck.31175524b739a7ad270b

As everyone pointed out, he 79f06712b8 wasn’t in good shape. Fatigue had f9aaa447a5 accumulated considerably.bc7af7f39955b6ef3395

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With a demanding schedule ahead, d328b740d7 he needed to go home 627484b203 early and get a good 22be511bc7 night’s sleep.7d9061dd2cafed3f5d13

The opportunity he had been waiting six 656fce01b1 years for was finally within reach.811c68fb972cfa192c67

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✨⋆⁺₊✧f108e87f3ac12155b34d

“Early leave, cbbe7268c7 my foot…”f645ebe75f44739a721b

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Despite his firm resolution to return to the barracks early 954f619c5e and sleep to his heart’s content, he couldn’t leave the df25c8c9b1 office until the moon was high in the sky.80785b2ed0fddf4f26bd

Leaving the office long after the bell had 8798bf9f88 tolled more than ten times, Ruan looked at cf966645e9 the high-hanging moon and exhaled deeply.9dacd85100c6f7bf140a

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The daytime sun was warm, 526951e261 but the night air without b8ced90260 the sun was still chilly.dafd1443ea26f4e19ade

He looked up at the sky for a moment, enjoying the cool, clear night air, b16b58ea7c and slowly walked towards the barracks, which felt more like home than his actual house. He collapsed onto 98e4bbdda8 his bed.d22de76e3f50f4b28985

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Too exhausted to do anything but shed his 544bf65316 coat, Ruan lay on the bed and, just f1c7f46d47 before closing his eyes, took out the ring 311e81d3d4 hanging from his necklace and kissed it.abbf104781004d40e753

His father, who used to kiss f48fc828e6 his forehead every night, was gone, 3efa9df805 but kissing the ring he left 50a7da5cef behind had become a bedtime ritual.5d6bdffbb55369dfd715

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Like a charm that 4521af0a04 invoked pleasant dreams and 3a8d1478ef deep sleep.c4ece64676e7ac60de59

“Goodnight.”e9cc01521baa9257fb89

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He murmured alone in 6d0ebf88a1 the still-empty barracks, pulled c73270fa72 up the thin blanket, af47c44f0d and closed his eyes.d421f39303b8e137e31f

But strangely, sleep 751a621ba7 wouldn’t come. He thought he’d fall asleep as soon as his head e65cf610e3 hit the pillow, but his mind was too clear.b14771fac9a262f291f2

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He wanted to sleep, and he 455a065b70 needed to sleep, but his consciousness 5f19856742 stubbornly refused to settle.375687ec8190a840b369

Despite pretending to 3689d1477b be fine, his 2db1ca0784 mind had been 6cda95eb26 in constant turmoil. That was probably why his work had taken bd08b60869 a little longer, as he couldn’t concentrate.992c3c59c9e50587bf26

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A thought kept 0ecf26bc0b intruding on his bc26adf310 mind.be4f3898abe97624a922

That thought, that 76733ece2c anticipation, kept him 95cb17334e awake and alert.f086fdda9d88d5bb3d8f

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“…Damn it.”7b87b294230b242420df

He had a mountain d242a2df3c of work tomorrow, and ff8b9f69d7 Calix would probably run c66b53742a off again. He needed to get some sleep to chase a05fd77ed6 after him, but no matter how hard he cef08d6f98 closed his eyes, his mind was too clear.6715e4311cbedd8ef181

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After tossing and turning several times with the a0959b7646 feeling that sleep was impossible, Ruan finally sat 2a53944bc7 up and put his discarded uniform back on.78478ecbd6f91f83e306

Tonight was not a a95e924e38 night for sleep.390b553b7dc504ce2c95

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