The Adventures of Rose Hood

Chapter 57: The Kingsguard

"So, Dallel, I want to recruit you to the Kingsguard as a captain."

"What? Why?"

"After Royce's death, no one is stepping up to the place he stood. I need someone with experience who deeply cares about the kingdom."

"Then why not Jalad?"

"Because Jalad is needed as the captain of the guard, the men will listen to you, but with far less respect than Jalad. You, however, have been asked to join the Kingsguard before. They respect you, and each captain agreed you would be a great addition."

"I... don't know."

"I understand, take your time, but I can assure you that if you do take the role, I will assign you a job you would like."

"Thank you, but I need time to decide."

_

"He asked again?!"

Jalad was ticked off.

"But this time, he asked me to take Royce's place."

"You've already denied him several times. Why can't he just let it go?"

"Because he does want me to do it. I guess I used to be the prince of Calesen. He may see it as a boon to have me as a direct subordinate of his."

"Either way, I'd suggest declining. I don't trust whatever job he has for you, but there is definitely something fishy going on."

"I would agree, but I think he's a bit more frantic about losing his best warrior than doing a power play."

"Either way, he shouldn't try to force you into it."

"I mean, the nation did lose a top fighter, Royce was as strong as a low S rank."

"I know, but Dallel, I seriously doubt he wants you to take the role out of the goodness of his heart. As much as I respect the king, I also know that he manipulates very well. He is a good person, but he cares about the country too much."

"I understand, but I still don't know. I will consider it."

_

"Aye, I hope she wakes quickly, Rose is a good fighter, I'm certain she'll wake up and be fine."

Mammon was announcing at the guild what Celios said about Rose's condition. Only he and a few high-level adventurers knew that Rose was Purity, they found it out when Rose first revealed her aura at full power.

"She is not going to die; she'll get back up as stubborn as before and fight with us in only 2 months. That may seem like a long time, but we've lasted before she showed up and we can last again."

"But we also had Sir Royce defending us back then."

"Not the whole time. I've been a guildmaster since before Sir Royce was born. I know we can last even without those two."

Mammon's absolute confidence made everyone feel better, but Royce's death still shocked everyone. Even using the resurrection technique that Elren made with his daughter Alice, they couldn't revive him.

Celios explained that a smite would require a god's power to revive the smited person. He explained that as him and Kala were both forsaken gods, their powers weren't enough to overturn a smite. He was smiling the whole time and it resulted in him getting a hook punch from Jalad.

As expected from attempting to hurt a god, Celios was fine, but Jalad had a broken wrist.

"Dallel, how are ye holding up?"