Published: July 7, 2025
After Sera headed towards the Forest of the West, Ryo was left feeling like an empty shell.
He wasn't just sitting around all day, doing nothing.
However… if it had been up until now…
He would wake up before sunrise.
Stretch for thirty minutes.
Then run outside the Wall of Run, generating tiny Tokyo Towers from ice on his hands, feet, and shoulders.
He would eat breakfast and devote himself to alchemy until noon.
During that time, Sera might come in and read a book in the living room.
For lunch, they often ate together at one of the shops near the East Gate, centered around the Feast Pavilion.
After that, they would usually have mock battles at the Lord's Manor.
This was how his days flowed, but now, with Sera gone,
'During that time, Sera might come in and read a book in the living room'
'For lunch, they often ate together at one of the shops near the East Gate, centered around the Feast Pavilion'
'After that, they would usually have mock battles at the Lord's Manor'
All of this had vanished.
He simply didn’t know what to do anymore.
People who don’t know what to do or haven’t found what they want to do become annoying presences that interfere with those around them...
"I'm sleepy..."
"Why do you come all the way to my room to say that?"
This was the former lord's office in the Lord's Manor of Run.
Currently, the lord's office and the adjoining lord's bedroom had been moved to a separate building, now serving as the office and bedroom for the next crown prince.
Of course, it wasn't that Abel had forcefully taken over; it was proposed by the baron of Run.
In this office for the next crown prince, Abel was diligently working on his writing.
These were documents meant for coordinating with the lords of various regions and neighboring countries.
There were quite a few things he needed to do before standing as king.
Of course, similar documents would still need to be produced after he became king…
In this visibly busy office of the next crown prince, the water attribute mage was slouching around.
"I'm just recharging my mind; don't mind me, your majesty the crown prince."
"I don’t really understand this 'recharge' thing, but I can tell you’re slacking off. I don’t get why you’re doing it in this room, though..."
"Because everyone else in the other rooms is working really seriously… It would be rude to disturb them."
Ryo shrugged as if to say it was ridiculous that he had to mention such a thing. It was needless to say that Abel felt irritated.
"I’m seriously keeping busy myself, you know?"
"I just thought you should be a strong king who wouldn’t be defeated by distractions around you, so I’m regrettably interfering."
"You’re admitting you’re interfering…"
And thus, Abel found himself training daily to become a strong king.
Of course, he wasn’t doing it willingly…
"I still think the quickest way would be to head to the royal capital and freeze the entire Imperial Army."
Ryo muttered in a tone disguised as a suggestion.
"Hey Ryo, I've said it multiple times, but absolutely do not do that!"
The next crown prince desperately tried to stop him.
It always seemed tough for him.
"The stage where we could simply wipe out the enemy's army has long since passed. The fact that every noble in the north has betrayed us is undoubtedly due to Duke Flitwick… my uncle being behind it all. Eventually, he will likely announce the ascension to the throne in the royal capital. If we don't reclaim the kingdom from his influence while eliminating the Empire and its power, there will be no restoration of the nation."
"Really… losing a kingdom is truly tough, isn’t it? It's a terrible inconvenience for us, the citizens of the kingdom."
As Ryo said this, he shook his head repeatedly in a small manner.
"Ah, yeah… I'm sorry for that."
Even though Abel had no responsibility at all, Ryo somehow gave off an air that he should apologize.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
When Abel said that, the door opened, and a young man entered.
"Lord Abel, excuse me."