The Ghost King's KeeperCh74 - Ruzen meets Ou’Ni

~ Bonus chapter ~

“My King, I am not aware of what I am to do… for my ascension and… other things.” Ruzen quietly moved to sit up straight, looking at the King who was tracing some form of pattern on his leg – almost absent mindedly – it was a little unusual.   un xmV

Although they were intimate just now, the king hadn’t fed on his enersym, it left Ruzen suspicious. 

“We will send in Our most trusted Bearer tomorrow, namely, Ou’Ni. He is a wise elder who leads the Bearer Branch that supports Us with Our work. He is politically sensitive and above all very loyal to Us,” the King stood while speaking, “We know We have not told you a lot of things, but We need you to follow Ou’Ni’s guidance during the ceremony. If you wish for a friend to sit beside you during Cursed Pilgrimage, We will let you pick one.” 

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Ruzen blinked at the information provided, “Before anything else I am concerned about this Cursed Pilgrimage, is it a difficult task?” 

The King started to observe the room as he answered Ruzen’s question almost absent mindedly, “Ou’Ni will answer your questions.”  szHBW7

Then he turned to take a clear look at Ruzen, “We will need to leave. Rest assured; everything will be executed without hinderance. As for your Master, he will not be able to accompany you due to his identity.” 

Ruzen nodded in hurry, “What about Ah’Hen, did my King make progress with him?” 

Hearing the traitor’s name, the King faltered in his steps, but he nevertheless, still answered, “Ah’Hen would be considered… before We speak anything positive, for now he is under strict monitoring.” 

Ruzen sighed in relief as he settled back more comfortably, but then looking at the King he immediately stood up, for he felt it necessary to see the King off. 

And his earnest attempt wasn’t missed by the King, whose gaze warmly lingered on the younger man. “We will see you at the ceremony, remember to stay true to yourself, and if you need more time for decisions, don’t hesitate to voice your refusal.” 

Ruzen shook his head swiftly, “I will never refuse it,” he was determined to accept his fate now that he was already here. There was no need to back down under uncertainty. 

Satisfied, the King nodded, “We came when We heard our name from your lips, but is there anything you want to talk to Us about?” 

Relieved at being asked, Ruzen spilled, “I read the letter- er contract. What exactly is it? I want to know. And this whole…” Ruzen gestured with hands, “this whole ceremony thing, I am a little nervous about it. Have you already announced things regarding me? And if you have, will they… test me? It feels very abrupt, this entire ordeal.”  1gbuYv

“We have certainly declared our intensions with the council members, they weren’t happy,” The king though seemed happy enough as he walked towards the curtained window, “but We don’t want their satisfaction. Our agenda was to bring you in, and We haven’t failed there.” 

“Hm.” Ruzen had been correct in thinking that the council members wouldn’t like him very much. 

“As for the contract,” The King tampered with the curtain binding, playing with the threads, “There is nothing special in there. We just wanted to be thorough.” 

Ruzen nodded, “Certainly, My King is very thorough with everything. I am pleased to note that you think so highly of me.”  igeh3N

The King turned slightly, his narrowed gaze landing on Ruzen as he murmured something to himself, before turning back towards playing with the curtain binder.  

Ruzen titled his head in confusion, “Does My King have something to say to me? I am listening.” 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“Nothing very significant, but perhaps Ruzen would not belittle himself when We criticize you in future.” The King seriously voiced his concern, still playing with the thread as distraction, “As a king’s keeper, your position is of importance to Us. We do think highly of you, but if We want to improve certain traits of yours, We might even try and teach you… at that time We don’t want you to feel mistreated. Our concern and considerations… all are for your benefit.” 

Ruzen considered it distractedly, his eyes moving along the long pale fingers that played with the threads. Something about the gentle tracing and the flippant twirl made him greedy for touch.  Ndb6yj

Flustering slightly, Ruzen cleared his throat. “I am not a little child My King, I will learn to take your critiques well.” 

“That is all We want you to remember. Now… We will leave, We will meet again soon.” 

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Ruzen stood along, watching as the King left with a tilt of his head. 

And not long after, Master He’Da entered through the same door, his face pale and his eyes unnaturally wide. Before Ruzen could get worried about it, He’Da whispered conspiringly, “I am in trouble now… the King didn’t look very pleased with me… what did I do wrong this time… should I go into hiding again? I don’t want him to come after me!”  OiNlVR

Ruzen stared for long, before sighing and reluctantly keeping quiet. His master had his own issues, it was not right to ask about it when he himself was worried about the ceremony. Even if it wouldn’t be terrifying, the significance weighted heavy. It wasn’t lost on him, that the King had refused to talk about it, meaning it must be very exhaustive and comprehensive. 

Now all he could do was wait for this person named Ou’Ni. 

~~~ 

By the end of the day, news started to spread that the King had chosen a Keeper for himself, and day after tomorrow there will be a ceremony held to welcome the Keeper into the council of 666,666.  OtQZnp

Due to disruption led by the skeletal beast, a smaller part of Manjo was dominantly affected. And locals were displaced to safer gathering zones.  

This piece of news had reached every corner of the protected lands, and so had the news of the Keeper.  

People weren’t sure of who the Keeper was but the talk of the town was indeed the King’s Keeper. 

“Did you hear? I heard the keeper is very young,” a young lady gossiped with another, while buying fruits from a stall.  aynMe0

“The King did make an announcement that he was searching for a keeper…” 

“I heard, my father specially told me how… 

The two young ladies weren’t the only ones who were gossiping about the latest news. Almost everyone was the same. 

What was even more interesting was the fact that this news travelled faster once outside the walls of Manjo.   dJ7lUT

The fact that a Keeper was taken in, without prior announcements, was really strange. The Ghost King of the Protected lands, the Ruler of Manjo, was someone who paid great attention to customs and traditions.  

The hidden rules always stated that if any ruler made changes to their dominion, then they had to announce it in prior as notice. 

However, it was no secret that the King had been looking for a Keeper or he was ill. Several contenders had already mused upon it since long back. And some even knew of the attack on Manjo, anticipating the King’s next move. 

Chaos had erupted in many kingdoms and provinces over how to lure in the Ghost King’s interests knowing that no amount of boot licking was enough to arouse the King’s attention. All of them ended up sending in Cursed ones in batches to woo the King, even if the timing was fixed before the standard invites.  e0MB5R

Although these batches would arrive after a few weeks of travel, they were indeed majestic enough to impress even the dead. And the ghost king was one such dead, wasn’t he? 

Thinking themselves clever, these Kingdoms eyed Manjo with interest. Their envoys also been sent out, in case the plan with the Cursed ones failed. 

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Ghost King was known for his erratic decision making, and the supremacy of his glowers when he encountered people with power, was just unparalleled. So it was in best interest that the rivals fought hidden behind their own walls, bargaining with pawns and pieces, instead of directly attacking the King himself. 

Still, not everyone felt the same. A few had already started to plan the King’s Downfall, considering the new Keeper at best, the King’s weakness.  J2FgUj

But nobody even batted an eye at the young contestant participating as Number De’Ji De’Ju. His video had reaches many, but they didn’t expect him to be the selected keeper. Of course, the King’s Council had some idea, but the outsiders were yet unaware. 

Alas, the eventual impact would only be known in future, for now everyone was skeptical about this new Keeper. 

~~~
Ou’Ni was the King’s most senior bearer. He was named after running water, that flowed mystically and unhindered. 

He was not someone who appreciated chattering fellows and raging mongrels. He loved peace, sanity and appreciated intelligence, wisdom.  HZWsVF

Finishing his tasks and handling his job with respect was his ultimate happiness. So no wonder he was humming when he went to meet the new Keeper. 

According to the King, the new keeper was very young and barely knew anything, but was a promising young man and someone who had talent. 

The new keeper was temporarily placed in a well known unit next to the central housings, and today was the day he was set to meet with Ou’Ni. 

Feeling privileged and proud of himself, Ou’Ni made his way to meet the Keeper, standing at the door and knocking as he waited by the garden in front of the huge door.  lBkLbG

The King had told him that Ru’Zen was a contestant, and so had been given residence in the central courtyard. But the facility hadn’t impressed the King, so he had sent someone to bring the cursed one to this new current residence. The change had happened this early morning, so the Keeper must have been a little overwhelmed by the changes, Ou’Ni thought to himself. 

But considering how his ceremony had to be completed tomorrow, Ou’Ni didn’t think the sudden change in residence was that impactful. 

The unit was not big, had only a two room plan and a neat little flower garden in front, the same as the very many that surrounded it snuggly. The units could only be differentiated by looking at the unit number that sat atop the porch, carved on the wooden plank with silver metal lining. 

When the door opened, Ou’Ni had expected to see a young man with tough features or some mystic beauty.  PnwWkp

But what or rather who greeted him, was just a young boy that had just turned man, sharp eyed and serious. A dark essence surrounding him as he took in Ou’Ni. 

He didn’t look very gentle or kind, but gave off a feeling of restlessness and erratic waters. 

Yet, Ou’Ni was very satisfied. The Keeper certainly felt natural in his element, a curious air around him that was very attractive. Even if he mingled with the crowd, he would still be a prominent presence. 

He also didn’t look half bad, his eyes were inquisitive, his stature was easy, and his presence was strong.  ga dbk

Just in one look, Ou’Ni was able to catalogue the young keeper, mentally applauding the King for his selection. Because even if the Keeper wasn’t strong on his beauty, or his conduct. He was inherently a good candidate, visibly unique in the crowd. 

To test him, Ou’Ni calmed his stare, glaring sharply at the puzzled young man. “I am Ou’Ni, I want to meet the selected Keeper. I was made aware that this is his temporary residence?” 

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Ru’Zen, the Keeper, made a slight face at the strict tone, but otherwise remained unbothered. “The one you want to meet is me, I am Ruzen. Please come in,” he even opened the door for Ou’Ni, shifting back to let him in. It was an invite if nothing less. 

But Ou’Ni wanted to make trouble and see. “You are the Keeper??” he made it very obvious that he ‘hated’ the candidate.  VeAhno

He expected Ru’zen to at least sneer at him, or scowl at his arrogance. But he was left intrigued when Ru’zen simply nodded and stared. Although, he no longer left the door open enough for him to enter, instead, the door was almost closed on his face.  

Still, despite the lack of verbal communication, this Ru’Zen’s presence put a pressure on Ou’Ni. 

“I wasn’t aware that you were here to judge, but I am still learning, please tell me what I can improve upon.” 

Precise, humorous, and clipped, Ru’Zen passed the test set by Ou’Ni.  lo1wMN

Still… whether the curtsey tutors would find him impressive was a big question. Ou’Ni was only judging the character of this young man. And this young man had potential. The enersym was reeking in the air, maybe the young man wasn’t aware of his frustration leaking with the enersym. 

“I am not here to teach, but even I don’t want you to embarrass our majesty.” 

“I see.” There was a slight twitch on Ru’Zen’s face, which almost made Ou’Ni laugh. 

“Then I will do my work and get your ready for tomorrow. I hope you are cooperative.”  car6Vm

Ru’Zen nodded, albeit, his eyes seemed guarded. 

 ~

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