Chapter 16: The Forbidden Hero
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Within the Klaatel Church, one of the Cardinals, Gilbert Rasmus, was known to those who understood him as a seemingly handsome and charming man. However, beneath that exterior lay a mind filled with schemes and a penchant for troublemaking that he relished more than anything else. His lack of empathy and consideration for others earned him a reputation as a troublemaker.
This assessment was not entirely incorrect. Yet, it did not encompass the entirety of his character.
As previously mentioned, Gilbert was indeed an unconventional figure, but in truth, he harbored a deep faith and a compassionate heart. However, he deliberately chose to keep this aspect of himself hidden, resulting in his true nature rarely being recognized or appreciated.
Now, despite this, when he contacted Siesta, who had been dispatched all the way from the Royal Capital, he did not reveal everything to her. This was, of course, due to his consideration for her. He could not bring himself to share the entire truth with Siesta, who was a pure and devout believer.
So, what exactly did he keep hidden from Siesta?
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The plan to completely tame the Hero—Prince Ryuguin—was orchestrated by Gilbert Rasmus, one of the Cardinals of the Klaatel Church, along with several collaborators.
They referred to this plan as the “Garden Plan.” Without a hint of doubt, they indulged in the pleasures of their carefully constructed “garden,” calling the current Hero, who had succumbed to decadence, by a twisted version of a phrase once spoken by a previously summoned Hero: “Suku.”
The facts that thoroughly tarnished the reputation of the Hero, who had previously been synonymous with saving the nation, were not disclosed to Siesta, as it was deemed unnecessary to burden her with such information.
Moreover, the very reason why such a grand and uncertain plan as the “Garden Plan” was adopted was something too sensitive to speak of, leading to a strict prohibition against sharing this information with Siesta or anyone else.
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Before being summoned to this world, Prince Ryuguin had consistently asserted that those who resorted to violence were barbaric. Thus, the inhabitants of this world, who made a fuss over magic and swords, were nothing more than a collection of savages in his eyes.
However, despite his prejudices, he understood that violence could serve a purpose.
The most effective use of violence was during negotiations. In this world, strength was a currency of its own. When a powerful individual entered negotiations, they could exert immense pressure on their opponents.
In other words, Prince Ryuguin believed that standing above the otherworlders and wielding violence appropriately was the very essence of its existence and the smartest approach. Essentially, he thought that as long as he commanded others to enact violence, it would not fall under the category of “barbaric.”
What a conveniently self-serving notion.
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Prince Ryuguin believed that jealousy and resentment were inevitable when it came to capable individuals. He considered himself exceptional and did not think his safety was guaranteed in any way.
He was thick-skinned enough to assert that all negative feelings directed at him were rooted in jealousy or personal grudges, blaming others for them. Yet, he also recognized the need to take measures against the dangers that would inevitably arise from such sentiments.
This was precisely why he adorned himself with numerous accessories.
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While foolish, Prince Ryuguin was not entirely incompetent.
Since the time of Yamada, he had anticipated the possibility of being attacked by assassins or encountering danger in the Labyrinth while pursuing his objectives.
Much of his income was squandered on decadent indulgences, but a portion was still allocated for purchasing items to avert crises.
The collection of accessories amassed by Prince Ryuguin included seven rings, two bracelets, two anklets, and a necklace. Naturally, all of these were expensive and rare.
On the second, third, and fourth fingers of his right foot, he wore the following rings in order:
- The Ring of Poison Immunity, which nullified all forms of poison.
- The Ring of Death Evasion, which ensured survival from any attack for at least a few minutes.
- The Ring of Paralysis Immunity, which negated paralysis from any attack.
On the second through fifth fingers of his left foot, he wore:
- The Ring of Death, disguised as a gift by assassins, which could kill the wearer when activated by the registered owner (of course, the registered owner was Prince Ryuguin).
- The Ring of Arrow Evasion, which completely blocked attacks from arrows or similar projectiles (such as thrown knives).
- The Ring of Pain Relief, which completely eliminated pain in the event of injury.
His most frequently used magic item, perfectly suited for him, was the Ring of Unyielding Vigor, which provided an endless supply of energy.
In addition to the seven rings, he wore the Physical Defense Barrier Bracelet on his right arm, the Mana Defense Barrier Bracelet on his left arm, and one Stamina Recovery Anklet on each leg.
Around his neck hung the most expensive and rarest accessory among those mentioned—the Mythical Item (Mysis) known as the Resurrection Collar, which could revive its wearer once.
Despite being adorned with all these accessories, he refrained from wearing rings on his fingers. He feared that donning numerous protective rings on his visible hands would label him a coward. More importantly, he had experienced that wearing many rings on his hands was quite cumbersome during intimate encounters with women, leading him to abandon the idea altogether.
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In matters of combat, Prince Ryuguin believed that his role was best suited as a strategist, issuing commands from the rear, while leaving the uncultured and barbaric fighting to the fools of this country. He thought that utilizing his creative talents to bring wealth to the nation was the best way to distinguish himself.
In this context, what mattered most to him was not bringing wealth to the nation, but rather the fame he would gain from doing so. In essence, he cared little for the people; his primary concern was to stand out and be praised.
His actions were consistently driven by this mindset. Thus, he never reflected on his surroundings or held himself accountable.
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Please don’t be too angry… From here on, we will delve into his humanity.