Ashes and Kingdoms

Around the same time, in Quanos, Marquis Senato had called his daughter's son-in-law to his room.

"Senato Jr. is back in Nakte"

To a word told without a foreword, Rufus takes his breath and stiffens himself. To his reaction, Marquis Senato smiled lightly.

"What's wrong, you know your son was alive, and you're not supposed to be happy"

"It's... it's, whatever. But... all of a sudden"

Rufus managed to respond that way while holding onto him, unconsciously running his gaze indoors.

"When did you get the news?

"Just earlier. Now you can rest assured."

A voice thrown with an inclusive laugh tangles like a twisted thread. Rufus barely nodded "yes" as he desperately restrained himself from putting his discomfort on his face.

As with the recent Western uprising, there are still no reports of the arrival of the Rapids today. But there was definitely some kind of presence indoors. Someone was here, or is still peeking from the inside of the wall, from under the floor, lurking his breath - that feeling.

"Back to Nakte, but good."

Ordered to rustle, Rufus often took the trouble to understand. Slightly, Rufus was confused when he realized he had been told to leave Quanos to cope with the events in the West.

"Father-in-law, but it is"

"As much as putting the reinforcements together, even if they weren't, they wouldn't stand in the way. That emperor will always lose if he lets him do the battle, but he can do it in the crowd if it's anything other than actually stand on the battlefield. Either way, it is the Emperor who leads the soldiers he has put together. Even so, the commander will just be confused by the two of us. If that's the case, then go back to Nakte and deal with the disturbing West, but it's wise."

Senato taunted and laughed all the time when he saw Rufus looking unconvinced yet.

"If there were so many splendid prefectures, there would be no one to whisper that they had reunited my son with tears in Nakte, but threw out their duty in the middle."

"... thank you"

Considering that he could not believe one thing about his uncle's compassion right now, but that he would also have feelings for his grandson to be adorable, Rufus thanked him and bowed his head. Senato nodded satisfactorily,

"I will speak to the Emperor from me. I'll be ready to leave soon."

By telling him so, I encouraged him to leave the room.

Rufus, who left the room, often stood in the hallway. The fact that my son came home after a long time pervades my mind and head.

"-"

I rubbed my face with both hands and spilled a deep exhale in the face as I was about to crouch on the spot.

(Alive)

Drops of relief swell and spread across your chest. He blinked his eyeballs and grabbed his fist beside his body.

(I'll see you soon)

But before we do, there's something to do.

Rufus shook his head and regained his mind, walking out with his usual calm footsteps.

It wasn't his room he was headed for.

"Come Lord Phineas."

What was in Tenryu Hou's room was the person in charge and the other, a girl Rufus didn't know.

"Excuse me, visiting…"

Half-reflexively apologizing, Rufus stares at the girl with his eyes glistened. What the hell is that white flickering outfit? Besides, it seems thin and bright with no heart or just around the girl......

To the bewildered Rufus, Finn replied with a bitter smile, "I don't mind."

"She is Diaerfalena. You've also seen Lord Rufus the other day. It's Tenryu."

"- Yes."

Swallow the question mark that came out of his mouth, and Rufus rounds his eyes. With that look on his face, I could see his face as a single man peeking from under the face of a tough Legion Leader. To Finn's eyes, among other things, clearly and vividly.

Finn understands that he is basically an honest and simple person, and deepens his trust in Rufus. Lena also pointed a favorable smile at Rufus.

"This... surprised you"

Unexpectedly Rufus snapped, then returned to me and bowed his head to Lena.

"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Tenryu."

"I'm glad to see someone beautiful, too."

…………

can't even ask back, and Rufus looks hard to say. The face, frankly, is a creation that doesn't look beautiful. Be aware of that in person. Finn couldn't bear to laugh.

"Lena, that's confusing when you tell the first person you meet."

"Oh, I did. I'm sorry, uh, Mr. Rufus? Yeah, I told you, it's not about the outside. Um, I mean."

You and Lena apologized, but Rufus just couldn't figure out why. Finn stopped Lena while smiling bitterly and explained instead.

"Sorry, surprise me. Lena sees the inside of people. So it's not about appearance that I said it was beautiful... it's about Lord Rufus' character or soul, something like that she liked."

"I wonder if that... would be a pleasure to say it's an honor"

"What do you think," Finn tilted his little neck. "If you're a fine person, is it 'pretty', because it doesn't seem to necessarily. If I let her tell me, she says I'm prettier than Her Majesty the Emperor. Maybe it's just a matter of preference."

"I see. Are you saying that only a dragon's favorite person can bond?"

Look at Finn as Rufus convinced and impressed. Finn suddenly got embarrassed remembering when he bonded. Distract your gaze, cough and deceive, and then modify the track of the story.

"So... what can I do for you?

"Oh, um, yeah"

As Rufus returned to me, I take back the Legion Leader's face. Even though he still cared a little about Lena, he cut out his original business.

"As a matter of fact, by the order of Marquis Senato, the formation of reinforcements was entrusted to His Majesty the Emperor and I was to return to Nakte"

"To deal with Western uprisings?"

"There is, but my son - Senato Jr., who was missing, was informed that he was back."

Rufus clouds the end of the phrase. Finn swallowed his voice when the hell he was about to. Again? And the invisible messenger visited the Marquis Senato?

Rufus nodded in a harsh look at Finn, who frowned.

"It may be a false statement to keep me away from here, but it's probably the truth. Lord Phineas, in my absence, please pay attention to His Majesty the Emperor."

"What do you mean?

"... not much to say from my mouth, but... if Senato were to return, under the agreement, the heir to the throne would decide. If so, than the present emperor will always be in the throne..."

I didn't have to tell everyone. Finn took a small breath and nodded with a rugged face.

Since the adoption of Little Senato has already been established in writing, if the person shows up alive, Varis is used from the Senato Marquis. If you exited early, it would also be easier to rule the next emperor, who is still young.

"No way, no way, no way."

Rufus said to twinkle and Finn replied, "I get it".

"General Glaus has also asked me to keep an eye on His Majesty's safety. Some of my companions are still holding back by His Majesty's side, and we should be even more vigilant in the future."

"Never mind."

"No, because I don't want the situation in my country to be disruptive either.... Lord Rufus, I beg your pardon, but why is it that Marquis Senato says, while he sees the danger so far?

Lurk your voice, Finn asks. Let me smell it.

Rufus noticed it and glanced slightly at it. The discomfort of being poked at the painful spot and the humiliation with which the young man reached out for help, the disgust towards himself that led to the situation - those were the mixed expressions.

The silence continued, but Finn did not try to apologize for his disrespect. Because I knew intuitively that Rufus wasn't angry with Finn. Instead he just waited for the answer.

Slightly, Rufus confessed, nagging, squeezing out.

"Marquis Senato is my uncle and, from his background, he deserves respect. Come on. I'm not the one who can defy you. And more... especially these days, something..."

Mouthfeel, shake your head. When he looked up, he quickly looked around the room with a fearful eye.

"I'd like to keep it a secret. But to be honest, I'm more terrified of that. Like old times, I'm not just following you out of awe and position. Now... when I get out in front of that one, I don't know why, but my spine gets cold. Coward, my instinct commands me not to turn against you, whether you are a heartless man or not."

…………

As Finn was stunned and out of line, Rufus turned his back busily and graciously, shaming himself for showing fright. He stops and turns as he goes out of his room.

"Lord Phineas is the Dragon Marquis, so there may be no fear. But please, don't fail to be careful."

Leaving disturbing advice, Rufus hastily left.

Finn looked back at Lena after she stopped hearing footsteps like she was being chased by something.

"What do you think? I guess it has something to do with that shadow"

"Maybe. I don't know... but that guy's a little, like, dark and scary."

"That guy? Oh, Lord Senato. Yeah, I'm a little bad at that, too. It's called an invisible messenger, and I feel like I have some kind of unusual power. I hope it's hard to get over."

Hmm, and unconsciously sighed, Finn took up the sword that was in the middle of taking care of him. While I was responding to the dragon's power, it was glowing, but when it wasn't, it was so old that I was polishing the pattern and sheath to clean it up a little.

He remembered another sword as he was putting it against the light that plugged in through the window to see what he could do. The sword forged with witchcraft, which Marquis Senato tried to give. He was in plain possession, but wouldn't he feel anything unless he was a dragon marquis? But the feeling was too intense.

I didn't know Finn had a wrinkle between his brows.

I don't want to be slaughtered with that sword.

I unconsciously think so, and then I shake my head about what's stupid. It's impossible to be in that situation first. At least you shouldn't be confronting him yourself.

Finn stared at his sword and began to polish it more carefully. I'm counting on you, so pray you protect me.