The next day the Ghost King woke Ruzen up and the two of them got ready to make an official appearance. The inner halls of Sama’Ya were decorated lavishly in a tone of blue, and several seats were arranged in a semi arc, directing towards the small platform raised over a meter in height. The hall was only half enclosed as direct sun light fell on stage. Ruzen noticed that the hall was at present empty when they got there, and the King simply led him towards the back room. The back room was narrower than the hall, but lavish all the same. There were soft couches placed in the second half of the room, and a big table in the first half.
On the table, Ruzen saw a giant 3-dimensional map, full with miniature mountains and valleys, lakes and forests.
“This is the protected land, with Manjo in the center.”
Ruzen nodded, looking in surprise at how detailed and realistic this map was. He wondered why there was such a map in Sama’Ya. “What is the use of this map here?”
“Sama’Ya is also a place which is often used for official meet ups. At times, We entertain guests here, so for political conferences We demanded a need for this.”
“Oh, I thought Sama’Ya was just for festive purposes or like, for the pilgrimage routine.”
“We use it for several purposes, not that many know of it. We don’t make it a habit spilling Our secrets. It is better to keep changing locations.”
Ruzen agreed, and looked at the map which was very realistic. It looked beautiful, as if it was alive.
“We brought you here to take a look at the regions of Protected land, you need to get more familiar with it in order to know a few things about the officials you will be meeting in a while.”
The Ghost King started to point in several directions as he spoke about the situation of that area and who governed the locals there. He talked about the crisis that that area had faced and what deeds the governing party had done to rectify the situation.
After a lengthy in-depth discussion, the King asked Ruzen to sit on the couch, right next to the King. Shyly, Ruzen shifted closer as the two sat still for a while, just enjoying the calm.
Ruzen was finally wearing the official blue robe so both his and the king’s dress code were similar. Ruzen thought it looked like a couple outfit. He shifted in order to set his inner robes straight, because his inner robes were a thin white piece of garment, tied together with a piece of string. It was such a simple dress that Ruzen felt it could be regarded as the underwear, while the blue robe that was wrapped around him was the main over coat.
“Uncomfortable?” The low voice of his King asked him, as a broader palm came up to open the blue robe, adjusting the white inner garment with a flick of fingers. Then those hands tied the robes together again, soothing out any creases.
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.
Eehfc tewwfv, “P jw ubbv, atlr lr nfgs rboa, P jw pera ecmbwobgajyif cba kfjglcu jcs… ew qjcar? P tjv j tjyla bo kfjglcu qjcar, bg rijmxr, rb atlr rxlga ilxf ujgwfca lr nfgs vloofgfca. Dea atf yief gbyf lr rb ibcu atja la vbfrc’a fnfc rtbk.”
“Ktf yief gbyfr jgf ufcfgjiis rtbgafg obg cfk mbwfgr, yea Qf ujnf sbe atf ibcufg bcf, la klii tlvf sbeg fcalgf qfgrbc ogbw cfmx ab abf, la mjc yf erfv jr j rtlfiv.”
Ruzen gaped, “Shield?”
The King made a sound of agreement, “Blue robes not only protect you against spell attacks but also the physical attack to a certain extent, all the officials like to wear it for the same reason. It can also deflect curses and save you from harsh temperature influxes. So, what you wear inside is just a matter of choice. The white clothing you wear is called Togli, an ancient wear that is worn after pilgrimage ceremony, it is only temporary, after that you can wear anything of your preference.”
“I see,” Ruzen got it. “What does my King prefer? You can give me something of your choice, I will wear that.”
“…Our choice?”
Ruzen nodded like a hen pecking rice, he was excited to wear something that the King preferred, it would be a special occasion. “You just need to say it, and I will wear it!”
“…then, We will find you something suitable, it wouldn’t be visible when you wear the robe, but We will like to see it on you.”
Ruzen giggled, “Yes! Then, my King, another thing, when are people going to come? Isn’t it time yet?”
“They will come in a while, is talking to Us not preferable?”
Looking at the King who was staring at him, Ruzen wanted to flush, “N-No, I like talking to my King, I am just asking…”
The King nodded, his eyes looking satisfied, “Then shall we discuss your earnings as Our Keeper?”
Hearing the term, ‘Earnings’, Ruzen blinked, he had actually forgotten all about it, he had been living in better conditions every day and had stopped thinking of earning money… He was a little dumbfounded.
Any normal person would worry about their earnings even if things started to look up, they would worry for the upcoming obstacles and future savings, but Ruzen hadn’t thought of that, not after he got offered a job as Keeper, he had always been just looking forward to getting stronger and being safe… his direction of planning had always been different… because he knew for certain that he would become a Keeper and would receive mostly everything if he asked the King, weren’t they equivalent to a married couple?
Now that he thought about it, he had been given a lot of things, and even his master looked after him, took care of his lodgings… even though he knew, he hadn’t taken it into account. He didn’t like to be flamboyant, so he just considered it a temporary master-desciple relationship, a favor besotted upon him for him to achieve new heights in peace, didn’t it go like this in cultivation sect novels?
He sighed, his parents had always taken care of everything he wanted, he just had to demand and they would give. They spoiled him a lot.
Although his parents weren’t the richest in locality, they were also economically more stable than other families. So even after he took Art as his career, the fees for tuition and materials were all provided to him without any fuss. One could say he lived like a rich third generation young master. He never separated from his family so he never felt any discomfort in his spending and never gave much thought to saving money for future growth, he was more romantic towards inspiration for artistic achievement.
And now that he knew he would become the King’s Keeper, he just took it like it was a given and he would be provided for again for his services. So, he was very casual about everything. If he could live his life without worry than he could adjust in anything. And his master kept saying how he should live lavishly, so he didn’t worry about his earnings… because he felt it didn’t matter, he would be with the king forever, what need was there for stress about future?
And maybe he should have considered more, now, he could only grit his teeth and learn to be more proficient, he had a lot to learn, his sheltered life in his previous world certainly had great impact on his way of thinking.
“I am sorry my King, I never thought-”
“We aren’t trying to remind you this for you to feel embarrassed, We are just accounting for what you will be receiving as per your title.” The King spoke to the point, not giving much thought to it.
Ruzen coughed, “Right, I should’ve asked about it… so what is my earning. I don’t want anything excessive, even a little would do. Just so I can eat and sleep in peace.”
“We have already applied for your seasonal earnings, you will receive Pa Niuw of gold chips. If you lack anything, just ask for it, this earning is just a gift token, We consider you more than just Our keeper.”
Ruzen nodded, his king had his own considerations in giving him this token of earnings, he was a King so must have plans ahead.
But… Pa Niuw of gold chips… Ruzen felt dazed as he counted how much that will be… Yes, it was 50 of gold chips each season, he was going to be super rich, because 1 gold chip was enough to rent a lavish lodging in Manjo for a week. He knew because his master had mentioned his expenses in passing. He had also told Ruzen that gold chips weren’t the most expensive in market, another metal with rainbow gloss, a little black in tone was the most expensive currency. One chip of that material equalled 10 gold chips.
The currency here worked something like this, 10 copper chips equalled 1 silver chip, 10 silver chips equalled 1 gold chip, and 10 gold chips equalled 1 rainbow stone. So, it would probably take 1,000 copper chips to make for 1 rainbow stone, and 100 silver chips made for 1 rainbow stone.
It was easier to understand but also a little difficult to keep count.
If Ruzen had counted correctly, then he had around 5 rainbow stones. How wonderful. It was just enough for him to get through his day. “I am not aware yet my king, but where do I stay? I will be paying for accommodation and food?”
“No, you will stay with us in the main castle, you won’t be paying for anything, this earning is provided for buying things you want or investing wherever you want to.”
Looking at the simple response, Ruzen fell silent, he stared at the King who was looking right back at him. His face showing a small smile, Ruzen joked, “My king is taking such good care of me, I am now afraid I will be given more work to do.”
The Ghost King reflected back a similar smile, “We will not stack up work that Ruzen is bothered with, just a few favors would delight Us.”
“What favors?” Ruzen was now curious.
“We will speak of it when time comes, for now, Ruzen will have to stay put.”
“Okay!” Ruzen happily chirped, bouncing out of his seat as he jumped on the King, ensnaring the King in his arms and leaving a kiss on his chin. “I am happy today~”
~~
- A/N – One more bonus chapter will be released today, stay tuned.
Thank you for the chapter!
It’s so nice to see Ruzen happy and chirpy, he deserves it after all that he went through. And all that he’s going to go through. I do hope we get to see some of his calm moments too though, I really love that aspect of his personality.
Thanks for the comment <3~
💙
ohoh my god they are so cute ! 🥹❤️
hehe thanks for the comment ~~
+1 Ruzen really gives off the feeling of being in one’s first relationship, it’s adorable
Thank you for the chapter🥰❤❤
You are welcome 🤗
😊❤
jumping into the author’s arms I am Happy Today~~
Aww so cute 🥺, thanks for reading!!
Aww seing Ruzen happy is so precious.
Yes~ <3