Finally, after hard days of slaving away at the desk and on the field, the situation of Garroth became stable enough that the queen and the king decided to carry out Sirius’ punishment. First, they brought the prisoner not to an execution platform, but to the audience hall. Despite trying to topple their kingdom, he was still the prince of an empire. As such, they needed to contact Stornith.

“Let me go! Let me go, you bastards! I’m Sirius! Your king! YOUR EMPEROR!!” [Sirius]

Restrained by two guards on each side, Sirius, who was dirty and emaciated, screamed his lungs out. His shoulder-length brown hair was disheveled and his eyes were bloodshot. His handsome looks were ruined by his crazed state and poor appearance.

“I’ll have you all DECAPITATED!! YOU’LL ALL DIE!!” [Sirius]

Spit flew out of his mouth and he struggled furiously in the soldiers’ grasps. The magic shackle around his neck prevented him from using any form of magic. Moreover, his wrists and ankles were chained together to restrain his movements. The well-mannered and dashing prince was no more.

“Whoa, barely recognized the guy. He looks worse for wear.” [Ryner]

Ryner said in his laidback tone, despite being the cause of his current condition. Those present in the audience hall, which include the royal family, Evelyn, Klauss, knights and soldiers, all thought the same thing, but kept quiet. Sirius’ eyes locked onto the sleepy-looking man who made such a rude remark.

“HOW DARE YOOOOUUU!! I’M KING SIRIUS!! EMPEROR OF THE ROYAL SIRIUS EMPIRE!!!” [Sirius]

“Are you a king or an emperor? Make up your mind.” [Ryner]

“A COMMONER LIKE YOU WIILLL! BEEE! KIIILLED!” [Sirius]

“Also, the name sucks. Royal Sinus Empire?” [Ryner]

“IT’S ROYAL SIRIUS EMPIRE!!” [Sirius]

“That’s what I said. Royal Sibus E-.” [Ryner]

“IT’S SIRIUS!! MY NAME’S SIRIUUSS!!!” [Sirius]

“See? No one will remember it. The guy that makes maps will probably misspelled your country’s name or forget to add it.” [Ryner]

Several chuckles were heard from those around. Clara, the queen of Garroth, could be seen hiding her mouth with her hand to suppress her laugh. The defeated prince, shamed, turned bright red and he was murderously glaring at the man responsible for this humiliation.

“I’LL KILL YOU!! I’LL KILL YOOOUUU!!! KILL!! KILL!! KILL!!” [Sirius]

As he screamed his murderous intentions like a madman and was unrecognizable to those who knew him before his arrest, he finally remembered Ryner’s face.

“You…” [Sirius]

His bloodshot eyes went wide open and his expression turned from shock to fury again.

“You’re from back then!” [Sirius]

He was the man that ruined his first attempt at getting control of Garroth. He was the insolent commoner that dared step on his head. There was not a day that Sirius didn’t think about him. To be more precise, he couldn’t forget about him. He haunted him.

“… Sup!” [Ryner]

Ryner, who understood from his expression that he remembered him, raised his hand and casually greeted him. This jolted Sirius’ memory since that was the exact same voice and same greeting that the masked man used before he kicked him in the face and broke his nose.

“… IT WAS YOOOUUUU!!!” [Sirius]

His hate and shame were at their peak. The one that ruined him the first time was the same masked individual that stopped his second attempt to control Garroth and become king. His missing right hand came into his view. He lost it because of him.

He lost his position because of him.

He lost everything because of him.

“DIIIEEE!!! BASTAAAARRRDDD!!” [Sirius]

Sirius struggled to break free, to rush at him and strangle his neck, but the two guards kept him at bay.

“YOU’RE DEAD!! YOU’RE FUC-MMNNGGG!!!” [Sirius]

Because he wouldn’t stop making a commotion, Clara signaled for the guards to gag him. He was then hit on the back and forced to knee.

“Sirius, for the crimes you have committed, not only once, but twice, you will not escape punishment today.” [Clara]

The queen, sitting on her throne with her husband and daughters next to her, spoke solemnly, but Sirius wasn’t listening. He kept glaring at Ryner, the cause of his pitiful state. The man tilted his head, blinked and waved his hand at him, flaming his rage even further. He tried to get up, but the armored soldiers holding his arms and shoulders forced him back on his knees.

“However, you are the prince of Stornith. That is why, before we decide, we would like you to meet your father.” [Clara]

The queen’s words completely froze him. To be seen by his father, the emperor, in his shameless condition, was intolerable. He tried to refuse, to get them to somehow change their minds, but only muffled sounds came out because of the gag. Wheeled in from the side was an object he was familiar with. He used it to show the execution of the royal family, though it was a failure.

It was the new magic tool that was recently given to Garroth by a certain country. It was the revolutionary device called the Broadcast System.

“We’ve already informed them of the situation. They’re waiting on the other side.” [Clara]

Clara informed Sirius who was frantically shaking his head. The soldiers left it in front of him and backed away. The orb started glowing and above it, a spherical projection appeared. A man in his sixties showed up. Wearing luxurious clothes that used deep red as the base, he had red eyes and light brown hair cut short. On his head was a crown with a large ruby incrusted in the middle.

“Emperor Xuthus Atra Stornith of the Stornith Empire. It is good to see you.” [Clara]

Thanks to the Broadcast System, it was possible to talk to someone who had the same device, no matter the distance. Those around who saw it for the first time marveled at its capability.

“Queen of Garroth, Clara Welston. I am glad to see you in good health.” [Xuthus]

The emperor returned Clara’s greeting, but kept staring at his son. His voice was deep and carried a certain weight that made everyone stand up straight. His sharp eyes were glinting like a predator.

“Sirius.” [Xuthus]

When his name was called, he was sweating bullets.

“You’ve brought us shame.” [Xuthus]

His face was pale.

“I hereby disown you. You are no longer of Stornith or my son.” [Xuthus]

His eyes were wide open and he motionlessly stared at the projection of his father.

“Queen Clara, do what you want with him.” [Xuthus]

“We thank you for your understanding.” [Clara]

“There is no need for thanks. He reaped what he sowed and my empire can no longer afford to shelter him.” [Xuthus]

“Mnnnngh!” [Sirius]

Despite being gagged, Sirius tried to beg his father for forgiveness, to tell him that he did it so that he would acknowledge him, but it was too late. The projection faded away. His father had abandoned him.

“Now that you are no longer royalty, you are just a common criminal. Therefore, I hereby sentence you to death! One day from now, you will publicly be executed!” [Clara]

Clara loudly declared his demise, but he didn’t react. The guards were dragging him away, but he didn’t resist. Even when he saw Ryner, no rage boiled up. Tears were flowing from his lifeless eyes that lost their light.

So, one day later, the mastermind behind the coup d’état, Sirius, former prince of the Stornith Empire, was beheaded. Along with the other traitors, his execution was broadcasted above Sakael with a large projection for all to see. Atop a platform, in the plaza where he tried to kill the royal family, he was chained up before the crowd that gathered. Rocks were thrown at him and tore his skin. Then, as the executioner brought the axe down on his neck and his head flew through the sky in a spiral of blood, the people jeered to the end.

The man that brought them much trouble was no more.

“Kid, you going to visit the city?” [Klauss]

The knight commander was walking around the noble district when he saw Ryner. He called out to the hero who saved his country twice to greet him.

“Yeah, I’m finally free. Also, stop calling me a kid, kid.” [Ryner]

“Heh. Live long enough to have grey hair, then I’ll stop.” [Klauss]

Klauss tried to ruffle his hair, but Ryner dodged his hand. He smiled bitterly before staring at his gauntleted hands.

“What is it? Does it feel weird?” [Ryner]

“No, it’s like I never lost them… Thanks.” [Klauss]

“For how long are you gonna keep thanking me?” [Ryner]

“Probably my whole life.” [Klauss]

Although he spoke jokingly, he meant what he said. Ryner protected what he was supposed to protect and even gave him back his hands. He thought, after the country was saved, that he would have to retire. Yet, the sleepy-looking man before him gave him back his limbs. Healing potions didn’t regenerate missing body parts, so he was given something else. It was inside a tube and through a needle, was injected into him.

“I don’t have a lot of those, so try to stay in one piece.” [Ryner]

“No worries. I don’t ever want to go through that again.” [Klauss]

He remembered the pain he felt back then. Ryner used the modified parasite that regenerated body parts quickly. The black, wiggling mass traveled through his body like worms under his skin and clustered up where his hands used to be. Most of it fell out and shriveled up, dying. The rest was just enough to form into his hands like clay. Then, the color and texture changed until it became exactly like his amputated limbs. While that was happening, the pain was horrible and Klauss fell on one knee, clenching his teeth to prevent his pained voice from leaking out.

“Great because if you use it too often, it might kill you in a really horrible and disgusting way.” [Ryner]

“I knew that miracle treatment had some sort of catch to it. Honestly, if it could safely regenerate limbs, even with the intense pain, I would have asked you to sell some to me. Even if that black meat in those tubes creep me out.” [Klauss]

“It’s not for sale.” [Ryner]

The few who saw how his hands grew back, such as the royal family, were disturbed at first by the black mass, but astonished at the end when the treatment was over. The knight commander stared at the man who looked younger than him. There was deep respect in his eyes.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” [Klauss]

“Cooking, for one. I suck at cooking.” [Ryner]

“Haha! I’m no good at it either. But, luckily, I get to enjoy my wife’s cooking. Even though we have cooks, she likes to make our meals herself.” [Klauss]

Klauss put his hands on his hips and boasted. Many of his men were killed and he had to run around to either catch or eliminate any of the remaining rebels. Many of the nobles he caught, he once bowed to them respectfully. It was a weird feeling to put chains on them, even if they were traitors. However, things were settling down now. With Sirius dead, he didn’t need to worry about him attacking his country again either. He would need to start looking for new recruits soon to refill the ranks.

“Oh? Speak of the devil…” [Klauss]

While he was contemplating all of the work he needed to do in the future, he saw the figure of a woman in her twenties that he knew very well. She got down from the carriage and was approaching him at a brisk pace while holding up her skirt, looking worried. The two maids she took along stayed behind.

“Wendel, I told you to stay at home. You didn’t need to come all the way here.” [Klauss]

“Oh don’t say that. It hadn’t been long since I nearly saw you lose your head.” [Wendel]

The young woman grasped both his hands the moment she was close enough and didn’t let go. It was as if she was afraid they would disappear, that Klauss would disappear. She didn’t know how he got his hands back since it was kept a secret, but she was very grateful to whoever healed him nevertheless.

“I’m fine. I won’t ever leave you.” [Klauss]

Understanding her unease, he hugged her slim body and rubbed her back. After a while, remembering the man who was standing next to them, Klauss let her go and coughed once.

“Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Wendel Regand. Wendel, this is Ryner. He’s been helping us since the coup was over and works directly for her majesty.” [Klauss]

The knight commander said as he introduced her to him. He concealed the fact that he was the one who stopped Sirius and was the masked man that everyone was talking about since that was his request.

“Then he’s quite the important personage. Nice to meet you. Thank you for everything you’re doing for the country.” [Wendel]

His wife politely greeted him. She was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Best of all, she was the owner of a wonderful and caring personality. She was the best woman in the world.

That was the husband’s personal opinion though.

“Nice to meet you too. You sure are loved, for your wife to come looking for you.” [Ryner]

Ryner said, teasing the armored knight who was smiling happily.

“Yeah. I’m really lucky to have married her.” [Klauss]

“That’s what I should be saying. I was in love with him since I was ten. To be his wife… I’m the most fortunate woman ever.” [Wendel]

“Wendel…” [Klauss]

“Klauss…” [Wendel]

The married couple stared in each other’s eyes and immersed themselves in their own world.

“… Love’s nice and all, but don’t ignore me. It makes me feel like punching someone.” [Ryner]

On the side, Ryner had an annoyed expression and raised his fist.

“Oh, sorry. It’s just that my wife’s the best.” [Klauss]

“That’s not true. My husband’s the best.” [Wendel]

“Wendel…” [Klauss]

“Klauss…” [Wendel]

“… Urgh, now I remember how annoying love can be. No wonder people want to blow stuff up when they see couples flirting.” [Ryner]

The two started complimenting each other and ignored their surroundings. Just as Ryner was about to leave…

“I wish I could give you more.” [Klauss]

“Hush, darling. I told you already. It’s fine so long as I have you.” [Wendel]

“But…” [Klauss]

The knight commander finally shifted his sight to the sleepy-looking man.

“… What?” [Ryner]

He hesitated for a moment, but decided to try his luck. He smiled at his wife to reassure her and holding her hands, began talking.

“Kid, ac-.” [Klauss]

“Don’t call me kid.” [Ryner]

“Sorry. Ryner, ac-.” [Klauss]

“What is it, kid?” [Ryner]

“… Actually…” [Klauss]

Klauss told him how he and Wendel never had a kid. No matter how long they waited, her wife was never blessed with a child. Although it was important for him to have a successor, he was more worried about the woman he loved who looked sad and depressed. He knew that she wanted to have his child. He knew that deep down, she was blaming herself.

Ryner saved his kingdom, had some sort of monster bird fight for him and possessed weird items that could grow back limbs. Maybe he had a solution to his problem. That was his thought when he asked for his help with a bit of hope in his voice.

“Why don’t you two try again after taking a fertility pill?” [Ryner]

That was his answer.

“Fertility pill? I’ve never heard of it. What does it do?” [Klauss]

“Exactly what it sounds like. If you take it, it’ll greatly raise your chances of having a kid.” [Ryner]

“Really?!” [Wendel]

Wendel latched onto those magic words.

From his pocket dimension, he passed over two bottles of different color.

“The blue one is for men and the red one is for women. Each of you, take one before going at it.” [Ryner]

“Will this, really work?” [Wendel]

The young wife asked while carefully holding onto the bottle.

“Yeah, the success rate is pretty high. Women that were in your shoes fell pregnant the first time they used it.” [Ryner]

“T, there was such a wonderful item in the world…? That’s amazing… Klauss! Let’s go home right now!” [Wendel]

Her mood completely changed and she grabbed onto her husband’s arm.

“But, I still have some work to do…” [Klauss]

“But, what about our child…?” [Wendel]

Being stared at by his wife with teary eyes, the knight commander couldn’t bring himself to refuse her. He knew she always wanted a child. However, he needed to do his part to help the country. He couldn’t shirk off his duty.

“Ah, here’s a present for you guys.” [Ryner]

Seeing him hesitate, Ryner decided to give him one last push. So, hiding his hand behind his back, he retrieved a bottle of spray from his pocket dimension.

“Here, breathe this in.” [Ryner]

He casually stretched his hand out and squeezed the button. A small pink cloud was released and hit Klauss right in the face.

“Hmm?! *Cough cough* What was that?!” [Klauss]

“That was an aerosol version of an aphrodisiac.” [Ryner]

“Wha-!?” [Klauss]

“Relax. It’s a really weak one. It barely has any effect. You’re not going to lose your senses or anything. It’ll just improve your blood circulation and, well, help perk you up.” [Ryner]

“My body is feeling warm already!” [Klauss]

“Great, it’s working. Keep it in case you need it. And here are some extra gifts. They’re energy drinks since you’ll need some stamina.” [Ryner]

Ignoring the flustered knight commander, Ryner passed the spray along with a few small bottles to Wendel.

“He’s all yours.” [Ryner]

“Wait! I nee-!” [Klauss]

“Thank you so very much! I will never forget this debt! Now then, darling, let’s go home.” [Wendel]

“W-Wendel?! Don’t touch me right no-ah!” [Klauss]

“Oh my, I see you’re all ready to go. We should hurry up then.” [Wendel]

Dragged by his wife who suddenly showed incredible strength, Klauss was taken away and entered the carriage.

“… Good riddance.” [Ryner]

Nodding to himself, Ryner saw off the married couple as they returned home. When they arrived, they locked themselves in their bedroom and didn’t leave for the rest of the day.

Walking around the city, Ryner observed the people filling the streets. Many had joyful expressions, happy that the coup was over and that their lives were returning back to normal. Others looked worn out after enduring the abuse of the rebels that went around as if they own the place.

While taking in his surroundings, he went straight for the inn he used to stay at, the Sleeping Duck.

“Hello! Welcome to the Sle… Wait, is that you, Toilet man?!” [Trish]

The daughter of the couple managing the inn, Trish, exclaimed in surprise when she saw him.

“Glad to see you still remember me, inn lady.” [Ryner]

“It really is you! Geez! I told you to call me Trish!” [Trish]

The eighteen year old girl didn’t change much from the last time he saw her. Her dirty blonde hair was tied up in a short ponytail and she was busy moving about, carrying plates of food. The tables were filled with people still celebrating the fall of Sirius and causing a ruckus.

“You guys remember how he just fell from the sky!?” [Citizen]

“And that monstrous bird that spits fire and metal!” [Citizen]

“Long live the Hero of the Broken Mask!” [Citizen]

There were customers saying some rather weird things, but Ryner chose to ignore them for the moment.

“How you’ve been!?” [Trish]

After placing delivering the ordered dishes, Trish went to speak to him.

“Fine. What about you? Your country nearly fell and all.” [Ryner]

“We’re good. Things were rough here and there. Some idiots tried to touch my butt, but my dad scared them off!” [Trish]

She said proudly before awkwardly scratching her cheek.

“Because of that, he got beat up though…” [Trish]

“Yeah, I can see that.” [Ryner]

Ryner said and looked at the bandaged up man working in the back. He was walking around like there was no problem which made it hard to see him as an injured person. Noticing him, her father turned his gaze to him and gave him a thumbs-up.

“They said they were going to kill him the next time they come if my parents didn’t present me to them in a wedding dress. Messed up, right? It was dangerous, but we were super lucky! Their leader was beaten by the Hero of the Broken Mask before that happened, in front of the entire city too!” [Trish]

“Hero of the Broken Mask?” [Ryner]

“You don’t know? When did you arrive in Sakael? Everyone’s talking about him.” [Trish]

“The name’s long, and lame.” [Ryner]

“I didn’t come up with it. Someone said it and now everyone uses it, kinda like how Toilet man stuck to you.” [Trish]

“Trish!” [Trish’s mom]

Trish’s mother called her, telling her to get back to work because of how busy they were.

“I have to go. Are you going to rent a room?” [Trish]

“Maybe. I’ll let you know if I do.” [Ryner]

“Great! Make sure you keep visiting our inn. It was nice seeing you again, Ryner.” [Trish]

She lightly waved her hand and returned to tending to the customers. Having checked up on her, Ryner decided to leave instead of distracting her. Besides, he had one more person he wanted to see.

“Guess I’ll go check up on Red next.” [Rner]

“Red’s not here?” [Ryner]

“That’s right, darling.” [Madam]

Having arrived at the red light district, Ryner spoke to Madame, the old, chubby woman in charge of the establishment that Red worked at.

“I heard from her that you left the city. You know what happened around here, don’t you? For a while, we had some customers that played rough. Red got badly hurt by one of them, so I’m letting her rest. I don’t think she can work again either.” [Madame]

The owner in the black dress blew out a trail of smoke and shook her head.

“She fancies you, darling.” [Madame]

She pointed at him with her pipe.

“I don’t mind telling you where she is if you take care of her for a bit. My girl’s been through a lot.” [Madame]

With Madame’s directions, Ryner headed for Red’s house that wasn’t too far away from the red light district. He knocked on the door of a small house and waited a bit. After a while, the door slowly opened and a woman was peering at him from the crack.

“Red?” [Ryner]

Ryner said, recognizing the long red hair that covered her eyes.

“… Are you a customer?” [Red]

“Pretty much. The owner told me you weren’t doing too good, Lily.” [Ryner]

Upon hearing her real name, she opened the door a bit more. There was only one customer that she told it to.

“… Scaredy-cat?” [Lily]