Lucius stood far back from the happy couple and clapped his hands, allowing them to bask in the spotlight as the paladins gradually began to lead the people away. Some were arrested, of course. No matter how you tried to justify it, beating a man to unconsciousness was not a slight the Order could easily overlook.

But oh what a splendorous show! The gentleman had witnessed many tragedies as of late, so it was quite pleasant to see an uplifting drama for a change. Ruggiero deserved every bit of happiness he seized this day; not many would have been able to calm a mob with only words.

And thus, satisfied with the conclusion of the foreigner-turned-hero, Lucius swung around and gradually skulked away. His part in this tale had come to a close. Whatever awaited Ruggiero now would be solely through his own actions.

He wasn't the only one to benefit, however. Lucius tipped his hat and then stared up at the starry heavens above.

"Well?" he asked with a jolly grin. "What do you say?"

>[Sinister Interdimensional Bureaucrat is not pleased with the ending, but they say you did accomplish their task and incited a riot. A contract was signed and the objective was met. The Star is not one to go back on their word, and will give you the rewards you rightly deserve]<

*(NEW!) 1000 Cosmic Coins

>[Virtual Goddess of the Wired is overjoyed to see Ruggiero finally free from the shackles he placed upon himself. The people have come together and now celebrate him as one of their own, just as requested. And so, the Star happily bestows you a treasure from their vault]<

*(NEW!) Obtained [1] S-Rank Consumable Item: The Core of One Who Transcended Reality

Description: A tangled mess of wires and threads coiled around the beating core of a girl long vanished into zeroes and ones. Upon consumption, the user may make the impossible, possible, one time. No matter what. This item will disappear after use.

>[Number 1 Rated Salesman 1997 cackles to themself and says you did a good job swindling the other two of their rewards. From one businessman to another, the Star bids you a firm handshake and gladly imparts their personal skill]<

*(NEW!) Obtained S-Rank Skill: The Best Scammers Are the Most Knowledgeable

*[Rank S] The Best Scammers Are the Most Knowledgeable (passive): Whenever you encounter a new race or culture, you will receive a fully illustrated guide detailing their customs, etiquette, and all the important signs and gestures necessary to interact with them like a true local.

Now this was quite the haul! Money, treasure, and even a new skill: The Stars were most generous, indeed. Lucius didn't quite understand what exactly the 'core' the Goddess gave him did, but who was he to deny an s-rank reward? It would surely be useful in the future; for now, however, he sought to put his new skill to the test.

Lucius looked around, and he spied a familiar proprietress watching the crowd from far away.

"Good evening, Miss Mary," the gentleman said, quickly breaking his jaw and switching back to his Frankish disguise. "My, this was certainly an eventful day, wasn't it?"

"Huh?" She turned around to face him. "Oh, now would ya look at that? I'd recognize that handsome face anywhere. Glad to see yer doing alright, Mister Satanael. Honestly, I thought this whole damn city was going mad. People suddenly started gettin' fired up, rushed out onto the streets, and screamed and hollered all kinds of nonsense. I was just about to chase after some of my folks and knock some sense into them, only to find out that Sir Ruggiero already did it for me. All's well that ends well, right?"

"Very true. Do save me my regular seat at the tavern tomorrow, would you? I am in a lovely mood for a good drink."

"Oh? What's the occasion?"

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

He smiled. "A celebration, for having nurtured a flower to bloom at its most beautiful."

The good miss bid him a farewell with a cheerful wave, and the gentleman was once again left by his lonesome. No sooner did she leave that a giant, hefty book suddenly appeared in his hands. "A Dummy's Guide to Understanding the Franks" was its name. Contained within was a treasure trove of information. With this, Lucius had something nice to read on his days off—at least when he wasn't busy cultivating a new, potential blossom. Even a gentleman needed to rest occasionally.

With a clickety-clack of his boots, Lucius headed back toward his comfy room in the castle. It wasn't difficult at all to sneak back in, for most of the stationed guards were busy with herding the rioters away. The only ones left were a few servants, a crowd of players confused by the commotion, and the conflicted face of Sir Ganelon.

"Well, there goes my insurance," he muttered, gazing out toward Ruggiero's direction. "For Stars' sake, you can hear the peoples' cheers all the way from here. Can't blackmail him anymore, can I? That's just… swell."

The elders by his side clicked their tongues and spoke to Ganelon with a nervous tremble, unsure what to do next. "How could that savage man possibly garner the people's support?" they spewed. "What about our plans? Are we still capable of keeping him imprisoned?"

Ganelon sighed and crossed his arms. "Not unless you old fools want to be publicly flogged. Let's just accept our losses and come up with a new strategy. Who knows? Maybe this newfound fame will encourage Ruggiero to become the new fortress's guardian even without our intervention."

The man schemed and calculated with the same cold ruthlessness Lucius had seen before, but there was something else in his tone: something quite baffling. Ganelon had sought all this time to weaken those of Sir Roland's faction, to spare no means regardless of how foul in order to maintain this ill-fated relationship, and yet when he spoke of Ruggiero now… he almost appeared glad.

As if he was truly happy that Ruggiero and Bradamante had finally announced their love.

That moment lasted so shortly that Lucius could have missed it with a single blink, but it was there: the gentleman saw it without an inkling of doubt.

Just who exactly was Ganelon? What was the truth, and what was a lie?

For now, those questions would have to remain unanswered. The rugged man disappeared into the castle along with his bumbling retinue, and the evening came to a close: not with jeers or cries demanding for execution, but with a peaceful silence.

Thus, a new dawn rose over the empire of Francia.

Lucius had scarcely a chance to rest, for the next few days rushed by in a multitude of hectic events—the first being Ruggiero's proposal to Bradamante, which the lady tearfully accepted. They were to be wed in a few months' time, and their ceremony would encompass the entirety of the city. All were invited, whether they hailed from the capital or far out into the outskirts. Ruggiero had even extended his invitations to those he once called colleagues in the Moors. Some refused, and some accepted. The Peer had excitedly regaled Lucius of his past over the occasional cup of tea, and the gentleman could see clearly how much happier he was now; his smile reached all the way to his eyes, and the creases in his face softened as if the man had regained his youthful appearance.

After that, Ganelon's prediction was indeed correct. Ruggiero voluntarily offered himself to serve as the commander of the newly-built fortress. He did not do so out of coercion, nor did he intend to isolate himself from matters involving the capital. It was Sir Roland's turn to come to his aid, and the leader of the Peers devised a rotating system in which the High Tribunal's corruption could never infect. Paladins-on-duty would regularly switch with those of other divisions, and supply lines were to be closely monitored at all stages. Ganelon had no choice but to accept, for to push back now would only unveil his shady dealings.

Due to his closer proximity to the city, Ruggiero would also have no trouble visiting thanks to the speed of his trusty Hippogriff. He and Bradamante needed not be far apart for long.

And so, with the paladin's troubles fully settled, only one matter left awaited the players: and that was the formation of the new Order.

Many more evenings would come and go, but eventually the fateful hour had arrived. The clock struck six-o-clock; the two suns blazed high in the sky.

Today would be the day Lucius left the city.

The gentleman walked out of his room, his bag fully prepared, and met with his party for a final stroll and a hearty goodbye to these halls bustling with memories.

"You guys ready to rock?" Mili said, lugging all of their storage into her subspace skill.

Harper grinned and showed off her sharpened axe. "Ready as can be. Whatever we come across out there, I know we'll get through it together."

"Now ain't that a sappy line," Marco chuckled. "But I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it."

The three of them turned towards Lucius, and extended their hands.

"Well, you coming?"

The gentleman laughed and boldly strode forth.

"Of course, onto our next great adventure!"

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