After answering all the smiths' and craftsmen's questions, each group focusing on distinct projects that intersected within the Academy, Rygar finally left the halls of the Star Rise.
As he did, a piece of information caught his attention.
Among the names recently integrated into the research staff there was a new guy named Palat.
He seemed to have volunteered for the higher-level research related to Communication.
Rygar's memory was by this point almost photographic; it was hard to forget a face.
When he saw him, he immediately associated that name and visage with the small soldier who had survived when he attacked the Marble Fort — the only one he spared amid the massacre.
Seeing that guy becoming a researcher was unexpected.
Rygar decided to observe him for a while and, in the future, would test him personally.
With that in mind, he put the matter aside. He was eager for the completion of the projects currently underway.
Except for the Sköllvindr Armor project, Rygar had not delved deeply into the details of other projects. He left most of it to the Technology and Development Division to resolve.
He could speed everything up if he personally followed every step, but if he had free time, he would dedicate it to training.
He had other, more deadly dangers to deal with at the moment.
The Teleportation Circles were the priority for the researchers. With them, not only would he gain precious time, but the entire Kingdom would benefit.
A simple example was Aisha; she needed to fly on Helios, her dragon, every time she went to the Academy. It was fast, yes, but it still consumed hours of travel that could be saved in seconds.
When he flew over the Academy, he noticed a commotion near the place where he had eliminated the fanatic earlier, but Rygar did not stop for it.
Looking again at Tinaver, he thought that since he was there, he could take the chance to visit his father-in-law.
Besides him, it had been some time since he had seen Peikak, the old tavern keeper and merchant, who under his command had risen to the post of Prime Minister of the Kingdom.
With the decision made, Rygar set off toward the building where the King and his advisers managed the nation.
In an instant, Rygar was flying over Tinaver's central building. He hovered in the air for a few seconds and descended to the main entrance.
Unlike other places in the city, the atmosphere here was more rigid and had military discipline.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, guards, officials and even passersby nearby bowed immediately in respect to the Beast God.
Rygar raised his hand.
"All right, relax, everyone."
The tension lessened, although they remained respectful.
He began to walk into the building when a familiar face appeared to greet him.
"Your Majesty Rygar!"
It was Joseph Longrob.
"Joseph!" Rygar greeted him warmly. "How's it going? Did you get married?"
Joseph smiled with some relief. He had feared that, with the passing of the last two years and the rise of the Beast God, he would have been forgotten.
So he greeted him with the utmost respect. But the way Rygar treated him like an old comrade reassured him.
"All's well, boss," he replied more casually. "I got married after the war. I even have a son..."
As they talked, Joseph guided Rygar through the wide corridors. He had come a long way since that time.
Under Rygar's direct training he had reached the level of a Saint swordsman, and even gained some prominence in the War against Milis — all things he had never imagined achieving.
"I was recently appointed Commander of the Tinaver Guard by King Gustav," he added, with disguised pride. "So you could say I'm doing very well."
Rygar smiled genuinely upon hearing that. He liked to see that his old companions had achieved their own goals.
As they advanced through the building, they talked about old times.
The journey along the Sacred Road, taking hundreds of freed slaves.
The arrival in Tinaver, when Rygar bought a large wooden residence.
The construction of the Stone Fortress, which seemed so different from the current one.
The times had changed.
Now, they were under a consolidated Kingdom.
It was then that a voice caught his attention:
"Hahahaha! I thought it was a joke when I heard!"
A man appeared, his enormous paunch betraying his identity, even under noble and formal attire.
"What are you doing here, brat?" he said, laughing. "I thought you didn't like politics!"
It was old Peikak, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Gaia.
He seemed even older than ten years ago; he was now sixty-three, with white hair and wrinkles marking his face.
But the sparkle in his eyes remained the same. And, with the resources of the office, he could take care of his appearance, and his presence was more dignified and imposing than before.
Rygar smiled at seeing him. The way Peikak treated him had not changed at all. And that was comforting.
"I didn't come here to deal with politics today," he replied. "Just to see old friends."
Peikak widened his eyes, feigning indignation.
"'Old friends'? Are you calling me old, brat?!"
A silence hung for a moment. Then the three — Rygar, Joseph and Peikak — began to laugh.
And so they proceeded together toward the Conference Hall, where Gustav was supposed to be.
Peikak was doing very well in his personal life too.
Despite already having a son, the old man had remarried.
And not just once.
No less than seven young wives now shared the Prime Minister's roof.
It was clear to everyone that Peikak had no scruples in using his fortune and influence to fulfill his greatest personal desires.
But who could blame him? He wasn't performing any crazy perversions like the nobles of Asura.
He was a simple old man, Prime Minister of one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the world; he had money, power and status.
The young gold diggers sought his wealth and position; and he, in return, sought youth and beauty at his side.
In the end, everyone got what they wanted.
Who suffered most from this situation was his son. He was prevented from spending the Richsoil family's money and was constantly pressured to learn the secrets of administration from Peikak.
But the young man did not show much interest.
"Tch! That fool..." Peikak complained.
"You'll need to find another Prime Minister soon, since I'm close to actually dying! That useless son of mine isn't interested in anything!"
Joseph spoke thoughtfully.
"Well, he's just going with the tide of his accomplishments, Minister. He never did more than assist you even when he was a merchant. Asking him to take charge on his own might practically be an offense to the way he's lived so far."
Peikak scoffed, indignant.
"Ridiculous! It was only when my father died that I took over the tavern and prospered! But the way things are... he'll bankrupt the Richsoil family within a few years after my death!"
When Peikak mentioned that he probably would not live many more years, Rygar fell silent, pensive.
He reviewed future events in his mind. Peikak would live a few more years... but very soon his name vanished from the Future Guide.
He would die of old age in a short time.
But now things were different.
Rygar possessed the Rejuvenation Spell — something that did not yet exist in that Timeline.
Peikak had been a loyal friend from the beginning, back when Rygar was only a "brat" trying to change the world.
As Prime Minister, his administrative competence was one of the main pillars of the Kingdom of Gaia's success.
For Rygar, there was no reason to let him simply die of old age when he was so cheerful.
When Joseph said goodbye to return to his duties as Commander of the Guard, Rygar decided not to dawdle.
"Hey, Peikak..." he said in a direct tone. "Would you like to live another fifty years?"
The old man's smile disappeared and an expression of distrust replaced it.
"Huh...? Live another fifty years? How would that be possible?"
Rygar raised his hand, interrupting him before he could continue.
"Don't ask. Just answer. If you had the opportunity... would you like to be young again?"
Peikak narrowed his eyes cautiously. But, after a while, he spoke sincerely.
"Well... of course!" he sighed, looking ahead.
"Even though my life is good now... I always think about how it could have been if I had had that chance thirty or forty years ago. So yes... if I could be young again... I'd seize that opportunity."
Rygar nodded slightly.
"All right. Well, I believe you'd like to enjoy life. I can give you that opportunity. I have a magic that can rejuvenate you, although it has some limits. Just ask."
Peikak blinked, confused, astonished.
"What..."
"Ah, of course," Rygar interrupted, with a slight smile. "I'd still like you to continue using your talents as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Gaia... at least until someone truly competent arises to replace you."
Silence filled the corridor. The old man, who had always had quick and sarcastic words for everything, was now shocked.
---
The Second King of the Kingdom of Gaia, Gustav Dedoldia, was in the middle of a meeting with a Minotaur-like Demon.
The hall was spacious, with polished stone columns and tapestries displaying scenes of past victories of the Iron Legion.
Beside the King, standing, remained Saint McEarntown.
Former royal guard of the King of Milis, he now served as the direct protector of the King of Gaia. He said nothing, but his presence was enough to command respect.
The helmet that hid his face and his hand near the sword's hilt made any guest think twice before raising their voice.
This time, the matter was brought by a Minotaur known as Minus.
According to his report, a stampede of Rank B monsters — the Jirgold Goats, originating from the Blue Dragon Mountain Range — had invaded the territories of his tribe.
Minus had made the official request to summon the Iron Legion to exterminate the threat, but the response received was that the Minotaur Tribe was considered fully capable of handling the situation on its own.
The response was not well received. The tribe was outraged, spreading the matter until it reached the ruler himself.
After all, didn't the Iron Legion exist precisely to protect the Kingdom? Why, then, should the minotaurs risk so many lives in battle and lose members if there were trained and prepared forces for that?
That was just one example of the countless small problems that accumulated across the vast territory of the Continent.
With such a wide variety of races, tribes, cultures, and creeds, the country was complex to govern. Many times, local issues grew to the point of requiring the direct attention of the King.
And that was exactly one of the many reasons that had led Rygar to step away from the throne.
How could he have time to think about "how to save the Koala Demon tribe from the floods of the Great Forest."
That burden now belonged to his father-in-law, Gustav Dedoldia, who dealt with such demands day after day.
The King flipped through the records he had about the Minotaur Tribe, and at last he raised his voice:
"Alright, Minus. Indeed, the decision of the Commander of your area to deny any reinforcements may have been mistaken."
Minus's expression lit up, confident that his request would be fully granted. However, Gustav did not stop there:
"But, even if your tribe is not capable of eliminating the stampede on its own without casualties, you still possess combat strength within your Tribe, we are all members of the same Kingdom regardless of the armies. Therefore, I will send one-third of the detachment that was requested. This contingent will join your warriors, and together you will eliminate the threat. This arrangement seems fair."
Minus was not satisfied, and it was evident that he was ready to try to bargain with the King.
But before he could, a voice spoke for him:
"That is a great suggestion from the King, you should follow it, man."
The doors of the hall were opened. A shiver ran down Minus's spine at that very instant as he recognized the voice.
He turned, and there was the Beast God.
Rygar was entering the hall casually.
At his side walked a young, fat man, round face, confident expression, and a wide smile.
-----
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