Published: July 5, 2025
The day after the announcement of Emperor Tsuin's return in Boago.
In the daimyo's office, a man knelt on both knees, crying like a child.
"Tin, I'm glad you came."
"Your Majesty..."
The one crying was the Commander of the Forbidden Army, Tin Meow.
Emperor Tsuin took Tin's hands, who was kneeling and weeping.
"It gives me great strength to have you here."
"Ugh... Your Majesty, I failed to protect you..."
Tin's tears wouldn't stop.
"That was unavoidable. I have regretted dismissing your suggestion to increase the guards before setting out."
"Your Majesty..."
The Commander of the Forbidden Army, Tin, who had conveyed the news of Emperor Tsuin's survival to Prince Lyun and entrusted their rescue to Ryo and Abel, arrived in Boago with the support of Shou Shikuu from the Censorate and Minister Jueon from the Inspectorate.
After crying for a while, Commander Tin spotted Ryo and Abel and deeply bowed, placing his hands together.
"Lord Rondo, Lord Albert, thank you for rescuing His Majesty. I am sincerely grateful."
"No, Tin-san. We merely did what was natural as guests of His Majesty. Please do not mention it."
Ryo said this as he returned the alchemy tools used for tracking Emperor Tsuin during the rescue.
"I return this to you, who has shown the greatest loyalty."
"Thank you very much."
To dedicate all his loyalty to a single person is not a simple task.
Watching Tin return to Emperor Tsuin's side to protect him once more, Ryo nodded repeatedly.
"Abel, in our kingdom, the one corresponding to Tin would be Warren, wouldn't you say?"
"Indeed. The Warren family has produced the shields of the kingdom for generations. You could say they are the family that guards the king most closely."
When Ryo asked Abel, he answered in this manner.
Warren was a former wielder of the "red sword" and is currently a central noble in the northern part of the kingdom as Count Carlyle, showing an unwavering figure as the "Shield of the Kingdom" against the Empire.
"Since he has become Count Carlyle, he won't be able to protect you right by your side, right?"
"Well, that's true..."
Taking Abel's words into account, Ryo nodded deeply.
Then he continued.
"Then it’s time for the Ice Golem!"
"Huh?"
"Let's create a Warren Golem and have him act as your shield holder, Abel."
"...What?"
"Don't worry. The usual golems are about 1.5 meters tall, but I will make a special 2-meter tall Warren Golem. It will have the same build as human Warren, so I think you will feel familiar with it."
"No... I don't think I'll be familiar with a golem in the first place."
Abel's mutter was ignored by Ryo.
"Since it’s an Ice Golem, it won’t be able to talk… but then again, human Warren doesn’t talk either, so there shouldn’t be any discomfort there. Yeah, I think we can do this."
"...Is that so?"
The voice of the person to be protected, Abel, was filled with suspicion.
"If I research the Flying Ring a bit more and incorporate it into the golem, it might be able to keep up with your flight, Abel. Aerial guard squad!"
"I wonder about that..."
Abel flying with the Flying Ring, with the Warren Golem flying around him.
Or perhaps, it might become a scene where multiple Warren Golems are flying around...
"By the way, it's not just the golems. The Royal Castle is also protected by the Royal Knight Order and the Imperial Guards, you know?"
Abel attempted to resist.
"The Royal Knight Order is indeed being supported by Dantan Knight Commander. Were there Imperial Guards?"
Ryo tilted his head.
"They are the ones standing in front of each room inside the Royal Castle, holding spears, right?"
"Oh! So they were the Imperial Guards."
Even when Ryo was sneaking around the Royal Castle, they were good people who ignored him.
Of course, that was because they knew he was Duke Rondo...
"Well, since the Warren Golem won't be ready right away, until then, please rely on the Imperial Guards and the Royal Knight Order."
"Yeah, I’ll do that..."
For now, the sight of a bulky Ice Golem standing behind King Abel was avoided.
After a while.
Ryo murmured.