The Kingmaker System
Chapter 479 - 478. Someone By My Side (2)

Chapter 479: 478. Someone By My Side (2)

The luncheon ended rather later than Ocean expected, most of the day had passed so, Ocean thought maybe the promise he made to Sol about going out to play would have to be pushed for the other day.

Once the luncheon was done, Ocean and Sol returned to their room, Ocean quickly dressed out of his fancy outfit and changed into his usual outdoor clothes before donning on his coat and placed on his usual magical devices over his person.

Ocean fixed the mask over his face before he turned and started walking towards the door.

Sol who had been observing Ocean from the bed perked up when he saw him head towards the door and before he could even think he blurted out.

"Where are you going?"

Ocean halted at the door and then half-turned.

"To the town,"

"Alone?"

"Yes,"

Sol pursed his lips, he had still been thinking that Ocean and he would go out in town for the outing as Ocean had told him about but now he was headed out on his own?

"... Didn’t you...?" Sol almost asked but then he looked at Ocean who still waited at the door.

"Don’t be late," Sol said instead unable to hide the cold tone of his voice. It didn’t escape Ocean but as of this moment, he couldn’t take Sol to the place where he was headed.

It was the slums where Lyall and himself had established a branch of network. He had some work to look after over there before returning, and taking Sol to such kind of a place-

Ocean stopped his train of thoughts and reminded himself of not letting his physical appearance of Sol prejudice against his power. Sol was definitely a Dragon, lesser or whatever it didn’t matter and Dragons had great pride. Constantly being babied by a younger Dragon and also the one who wasn’t even a complete Dragon would be beyond frustrating and humiliating so, it was better to leave him at his own devices and not ruffled his feathers anymore. free\we\bnov(e)(l).com

Ocean almost left the room with a low hum of response but then he recalled something and made his way back to Sol. Sol stared at Ocean internally wondering if he would take him along after all but he simply watched Ocean lift his hand.

Sol thought that hand over definitely land on his head ruffling his head with some warm words but the hand was placed on his shoulder. Sol felt the rush of Supreme Aqua Dragon’s mana through his body easing his curse before the hand was removed and Ocean observed him for a moment before he turned and left the room.

Sol sat there in silence unable to grasp the cold that he felt in his chest which seemed to have returned. The cold that he had carried within him ever since the day he was cursed. But only recently he had started feeling as if that cold had vanished without a trace, now only to return again. He wondered just why couldn’t he be freed from it all.

Ocean didn’t know for how long he would be out despite telling that he wouldn’t be late so he casted a healing spell just in case before left. If Sol wanted him to act as an adult with him then this was all he could do.

Ocean met up with Lyall who stood near the entrance of the annex.

"Master," he bowed in greeting as soon as he saw Ocean.

Ocean smiled and placed his hand over Lyall’s shoulder, "How are you? How’s guarding my father?"

Lyall returned his Master’s smile, "I’m good, Master. And it’s an honor to serve Master’s father. His Grace is a warmhearted and kind person who... I feel like I couldn’t let out of my sight at times."

Ocean nodded, "I understand that feeling,"

Duke Aurelius had managed to grow a lot using his own daughter as his inspiration but a fundamentally kind and soft-hearted person couldn’t possibly harden his heart when it came to taking care of certain affairs. After all, there were certain kinds of people in this world who had certain roles. A hero was a hero, a villain was a villain and the NPCs were the NPCs.

Sure, there were exceptions but at the end, it all came to the choices that one makes based on their fundamental nature or the blow that that fundamental nature takes.

"Let’s go," Ocean said and he and Lyall stepped out.

Lyall had already arranged for horses for them, Ocean had a midnight black stallion waiting for him while Lyall mounted a chestnut brown horse. The two trotted out of the palace grounds before they picked pace and headed towards the direction of the slums. fre(e)webnove.l.c.om

After a couple of hours, they dismounted from their horses and Ocean could see the changes that were made all across the slums. It was quite an improvement as the houses were now made of bricks and the people around seemed to have a better lifestyle.

Some of them instantly recognized Lyall as the duo moved deeper, a few of them hesitantly approached them.

"B-Boss Zoro? Is that you?" One of them asked looking at Lyall and Ocean glanced at his attendant and right hand man.

Lyall had been the leader of this place in the past and the alias used here to maintain the position of the "Boss" was Zoro.

If the certain fandom saw this they might think that a certain someone from a certain place had even lost his way into this universe.

Either ways, after recognising their leader who hadn’t shown up for a long time the people started gathering around with beaming faces.

"Boss, you’re back!"

"It’s really Boss!"

"Boss would you like to dine at my restaurant, I’ll bring out all the delicious dishes for you!"

"Boss, I’ve just got the kind of drink you’d love, please come with me!"

They all started inviting him while I chuckled and he sighed prying his arms away from the people.

"I’m just here to check on how everything is," he said, "And, it does look like you all are living well."

"Of course, we are!"

"It’s after Boss kicked away that sleazebag that we were able to have freedom to do what we wanted."

"And it is thanks to the capital that you send every month that we are thriving."

The people really were self-sufficient now, I had come to check if there were any problems here like embezzlement or something new person trying to take over this place or something but I was relieved that everything was fine here.

The people ended up dragging us to the famous dining place and arranged a feast with a performance. It seemed like this place had a different festive mood than the entire kingdom.

The evening settled pretty quickly and then melted into the night as Ocean ate to his heart’s content and since Lyall was allowed to drink he ended up drinking till he got drunk.

Ocean enjoyed watching Lyall who got dragged to the dancing floor- the tables and chairs of the large restaurant were removed to make empty space in the center.

Ocean watched as Lyall stiffly danced with the beautiful girls who tried to move him but he couldn’t be in sync with them. Ocean felt at ease watching this scene, it was rowdy and noisy but the people around were happy. He didn’t care if he was the center of attention or the reason for their smiles but he was glad to see people being happy. After all, happy and content people didn’t chase unscrupulous ways to screw the world over.

It was quite late till Lyall and Ocean returned, having carried him halfway, Ocean’s clothes had also caught the stink of the strong wine that Lyall had drunk. Ocean didn’t like the scent of the wine so, he wanted to have a bath as soon as he returned to his room.

Ocean dropped Lyall in his room before he returned to his, he soundlessly opened and door and closed it before he glanced at the bed where Sol was laying. Ocean released a low sigh thinking the boy was asleep so, hw removed his magical devices and his coat sniffing and making a face.

He dropped the coat and his clothes in a basket before heading off to the bathroom for a bath. Having the water element on his fingertips he could get as much watched as he needed to bath or swim in so, he didn’t bother to call upon anyone as he soaked in the nice lukewarm water before getted dressed and stepped out.

Sol, on the other hand, wasn’t asleep. He had been waiting for Ocean to return. It was past midnight so, he was worried that Ocean might have gotten into trouble but when he did come the stench of alcohol had wanted all across the room. Sol couldn’t help but feel the anger surge within in his chest as he had been worrying about him but this person had just been out drinking and enjoying himself.

Sol decided to himself that he wouldn’t bother with Ocean anymore.

In the morning, Ocean woke up early as usual with Sol waking a little after him. They had breakfast in their room, Ocean observed as Sol seemed to be in a bad mood. He didn’t want to pry so, he brought up another topic instead.

"Do you want to go outside in the town today now that I’m completely fine?" Ocean asked. .com

Sol stopped midchew, the cold expression on his face made Ocean wonder if he would refuse but unexpectedly and even to his own surprise Sol ended up agreeing.

After breakfast and changing into outdoor clothes, they stepped out to find Lyall who stood there with a guilty expression.

"Master, I’m so sorry, please forgive me for giving you a hard time!" He bowed making Ocean chuckle.

"It’s fine, I’m glad you enjoyed last night."

"But..." He still had the shame written all over his face while Sol looked between them.

Ocean reached out and placed his hand over Lyall’s head, ruffling his hair a little.

"You don’t need to feel guilty, Lyall. You’re one of my people so, it’s also my responsibility to look after you."

Lyall nodded still having the same expression which Ocean sigh, "And if you really want something to ease your guilt then after we return, I’ll make you work a lot since we have a ball arranged to celebrate the first week of New Years."

Lyall’s eyebrows relaxed and so did his tense shoulders as he heard that, Ocean couldn’t help but feel his straightforward loyalty and dedication endearing. He patted his head for a few more seconds before he stepped back.

"We’re going out for a while, tell my father, I’ll see him during tonight’s ball." Lyall nodded and bowed hearing Ocean’s words.

Sol stood silently watching before Ocean gestured him to follow. During their walk to the entrance, Ocean had his hand dug into his coat’s pockets (he usually carries extra), so, Sol had to walk beside him. Usually, Ocean would either carry him or hold his little hand but there was no such thing today, he’d only slowed himself down to keep up with Sol’s pace while being completely nonchalant with it.

They stepped out of the annex finding the carriage waiting for them. Ocean helped Sol inside before he took a seat from across him, face impassive and no words exchanged.

Sol couldn’t help but notice that there was a thick wall between them now. The wall which he erected to keep the younger Dragon away but then why was he trying to look past this wall?