Rezild: "Duke, are you convinced of Ryujeen's strength? ...I saw it. I saw Ryujeen single-handedly repel the Republic army. If we make him our enemy, the country will be destroyed..."

Duke: "Hmph, but no matter how strong Ryujeen may be, he is still a citizen of this country, isn't he?! The King's orders are absolute, and disobedience is a serious crime, punishable by death. As a citizen, he has a duty to be captured peacefully and stand trial! Are you still a citizen of this country?"

Ryu: "I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to be detained without cause, or to undergo unfair trials and unjust executions. I experienced a trial the other day, and it wasn't pleasant. If this is the kind of country it is, I'll give up being a citizen."

Duke: "You dare… to quit being a citizen of this country?! Then, leave this country! You are exiled!"

King: "Duke, shut up. I am the King here."

Duke: "...!"

Ryu: "King, do you also think I'm a spy?"

Sophie: "Ryu isn't a spy! Ryu is…"

Sophie blurted out, but the King raised his hand, silencing her.

King: "I... ...believe in Ryujeen."

The King stood up and said:

King: "Ryujeen is innocent of the charges against him. I forbid any further prosecution of Ryujeen in this matter."

Duke: "King!"

King: "This is a royal decree!"

Duke: "...!"

Disobeying a royal decree is punishable by death. Even the Duke wouldn't be spared. Largo was a king who rarely issued decrees, making this one particularly heavy.

King: "Ryujeen, your actions this time were extraordinary. Thanks to you, our country was saved. We are eternally grateful. But your power is a bit... too strong."

Ryu: "..."

King: "It remains true that you are a mysterious figure. The royal family, the nobles, and the people will be anxious. My heart alone cannot alleviate their concerns. This is a failing on my part, and I apologize, but…"

The prince nodded in agreement. It was Rezild who had advised the King about the danger of Ryujeen.

King: "So, to ease their worries… Ryujeen, would you be willing to take Sophie as your wife, become part of the royal family, and work for our country? Perhaps even become the King someday…"

Ryu: "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

Rezild and the Duke gasped at the King's words, but they stopped themselves from speaking upon hearing Ryujeen's response.

Sophie's eyes lit up at the King's words, but she looked shocked by Ryujeen's answer.

King: "...You're not even interested in the throne?"

Ryu: "Becoming someone's superior, taking on such responsibility, is a lot of trouble and not worth it. It's like being a servant who works for the people."

Rezild: "Calling the King a servant… "

King: "Hahahaha, that's true!"

The King laughed at Ryujeen's words.

King: "That might be true! Always thinking about the country, the people, dealing with petitions and resolutions all day long. A royal's job can be called serving the people. But Ryujeen, the job of being a king has its good points, too!"

Ryu: "No, I'm sorry, but I'd rather not have that position, especially considering the hard work the King does."

King: "May I ask...? …What is your purpose in life? Why do you live…?"

Why does he live…?

He was caught off guard by the sudden question.

You could say that Ryujeen was a stone thrown into the world by the goddess to cause ripples. He didn't have any specific mission or duty. He was simply told to live freely, and he wished for that.

Ryu: "...I want to live freely. That's all."

King: "Hmm... you said the same thing before."

Ryu: "...King, if you appreciate my work, could you give me a reward?"

King: "Oh, what is it?"

Ryu: "Make me no longer a citizen of this country."

Duke: "You're accepting exile?!"

The Duke interjected, but the King glared at him, silencing him.

Ryu: "Yes, that's fine... Actually, maybe it's better that way."

Rezild: "Is that your reward?"

Ryu: "I'm tired of all this. As I said before, I want to live freely. I don't need your protection as a citizen, and in turn, I don't want to bear the obligations of being a citizen either. I got involved in this war, but I don't want to get involved in the country's wars or politics in general. I know it's a selfish request, but it's a small price for saving the country, isn't it?"

Rezild: "I see…"

Ryu was becoming increasingly disillusioned with this country. But this was also a way for him to show consideration for the King, who was caught between his ministers and himself.

The King had believed in him. That was enough.

The King had a bit of a soft spot, but as long as he was there, the country would be fine... or rather, the country was only barely managing to survive because of this King.

Ryu didn't want to be a burden on him. After all, he never intended to serve the King or be responsible for the country in the first place.

Ryu: "But I'm warning you. I'm going to go wherever I want, whether it's within the kingdom or outside. I will eliminate anyone who gets in my way, and if you try to capture me, I'll fight back with all my might. Don't try to capture me. Don't try to take away my freedom. I said before that I would destroy the country if you made me an enemy... but anyone who tries to take away my freedom will be eliminated, even if it's the country itself. But… If you leave me alone, I promise not to interfere with you in any way."

Ryu's expression softened slightly as he continued.

"You said you wanted to make me a royal by marrying me to Sophie, right? Because you don't want to make me an enemy? Don't worry, I won't become an enemy if you don't interfere with my freedom. If some other country tries to take me in and use my power, all it means is that country will be destroyed by me."

Sophie: "You're leaving this country? You're abandoning it?"

Sophie's eyes were filled with tears.

Ryu: "That's not what I mean. Sophie is a friend. Call me anytime you need help."

Sophie: "A friend... huh..."

In the end, the King granted Ryu's wish. There was no precedent for the procedure of ceasing to be a citizen, so he was treated as a foreigner (a guest of honor) without any punishments or restrictions. He didn't have to leave the country, as it wasn't exile. And he didn't have to bear any obligations as a citizen. (Of course, when he was in the country, he was expected to abide by the laws and maintain order.)

If he were in Earth, losing the protection of his country would have made it difficult to live. But Ryu had always felt that it wasn't like that in this world.

After all, Ryu didn't need the protection of the police or the military. He could eliminate his enemies himself. He could also treat himself for illnesses and injuries. The pressure from the country on its citizens was very strong, and there was very little welfare for citizens in this world.

The King, as a token of gratitude for saving the country, gave Ryujeen gold coins worth enough for him to play around for a lifetime. The Duke was dissatisfied, but he kept quiet, prioritizing Ryujeen leaving the palace and not getting involved with the country again.

Thus, Ryujeen finally became free.

There were a few things he had left unfinished in the post-war cleanup, but the King promised to take care of them. So, Ryu left it to him and set off on his journey, as he had always wished.

But…

After Ryujeen left, tragedy struck the Garriza Kingdom.

The Duke murdered the King and Prince Rezild…

To be Continued...

Next Time

Sophie seeks Ryujeen's help.

But he refuses?!

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