Chapter 31: The King

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Roku entered his room, shedding the distinctive survey corps uniform. As he sat on his bed, a palpable sense of contemplation enveloped him.

Thoughts swirled in his mind, casting a shadow on his usually determined demeanor. After a moment, he stood up and walked outside, wearing plain clothes like any other citizen.

His objective was clear: he needed to approach the individual who had a connection to the king.

However, he decided to forego his survey corps uniform, opting for a more inconspicuous appearance to navigate the streets without drawing unwanted attention.

Roku found himself in Ehrmich, a district within Wall Sina, contemplating where to begin his search.

He pondered on the most likely place to find the man with the information he sought. Convinced that bars were ideal sources of information, Roku entered one of the most renowned establishments in Ehrmich.

Approaching the bartender, he discreetly offered a bag full of gold, a common practice to secure a private conversation.

"I'm searching for a man," Roku stated with a serious undertone.

"What kind of man?" the bartender inquired, keeping his voice low.

"Kenny Ackerman," Roku replied.

"Kenny the Ripper. It's been years since I heard about him," the bartender responded. "I heard he visits the military police headquarters from time to time, but you can find him frequently near Orvud Lake."

"Where is this lake located?" Roku asked.

"That's a lot of questions, mister," the bartender teased, but Roku's determination was evident.

Placing another bag of gold on the bar, Roku insisted.

"Give me a second," The bartender brought out a map, handing it over to Roku.

"Follow the map, and you'll find it."

Roku followed the map until he arrived at Orvud Lake, standing on the bank as he gazed at its tranquil waters.

"Am I even doing the right thing" he questioned himself as he looked at the ducks in the lake

As he observed the surroundings, he noticed a barn nearby, the atmosphere serene with ducks peacefully floating on the lake. Roku decided to wait until sunset, maintaining vigilance over the area.

As dusk settled, he heard footsteps approaching the lake from a distance. Recognizing the distinct figure of Kenny, Roku felt a surge of relief.

Kenny, being cautious, instinctively threw a knife in his direction, a reflex to protect the elderly man accompanying him. "Who are you?" Kenny shouted.

Roku, dodging the knife with agility, called out, "Yo, old man, you forgot me?"

"Roku? What are you doing here?" Kenny questioned

"Aren't you supposed to be with the survey corps?", Kenny said looking at Roku's clothes,

"You told me before you had some connections with the king, I want to have a word with the king, Kenny," Roku responded.

"The king?!" Kenny exclaimed, seemingly surprised.

"You know this young man Kenny?" the old man asked

"I am all ears young man," the old man said, roku was a little confused,

"That's the King himself you idiot", Roku then realized and he knelt down for him.

"Your Majesty, My name is Roku Ackerman, the captain of the survey corps. Today, I came to beg your pardon the survey corps has fallen. A trial was held against us two days ago, and the cancellation of the survey corps is imminent. You are the only one who can alter the course of events, Your Majesty."

"and why would I interfere Roku?" the king replied

Roku was a little shocked by the reply he then stood up,

"Don't think of anything idiotic kid, I am his guard I will kill you if necessary" Kenny warned Roku, his hand ready to draw a weapon.

However, Roku, fueled by an unwavering determination, saluted the king, placing his hands over his heart. His words, spoken with intensity and conviction, resonated through the room.

"We, the survey corps, serve the purpose of humanity. We are the ones who sacrificed our comrades, our lives, everything for the sake of discovery, for the sake of freedom. Every day, we put our lives on the line for our cause. We are the wings of humanity. And you, Majesty, ask me why you should side with us? I don't care if you are the king or not. If you find the lives of our fallen comrades without meaning, I won't forgive you."

Kenny, sensing the gravity of the moment, attempted to interrupt, warning Roku against proceeding. Unyielding, Roku continued with a fierce determination.

"I am not going to be trapped within these walls for the rest of my life, and neither will any of my comrades. We were born to be free. We were born to discover. We were born to aid humanity. I beg you, Your Majesty. The survey corps is humanity's last resort for freedom."

A shout filled with the essence of a true warrior. The words resonated with the spirit of those who had sacrificed everything for a cause larger than themselves.

"Shinzō wo Sasageyo!" he declared as he still placed his fist on his chest,

"That's what we do, Your Majesty. That's what we live for, we dedicate everything, our hearts to the cause."

The king, surprisingly moved by Roku's impassioned speech, began clapping, a testament to the genuine respect he felt for the captain.

"You are a true warrior as your bloodline Roku, a true Ackerman, You have my utmost respect, and the survey corps' legacy will continue, I entrust it to you, a true man and a warrior",

Roku, his face now reflecting relief, knelt once more before the king.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he expressed his gratitude.

Kenny, however, less concerned with formalities, teased Roku

"How dare you shout in front of the king like that, idiot. I am going to teach you some manners," Kenny remarked, breaking the tension with a touch of humor.

As Kenny led the king away, he turned back to Roku with a nonchalant remark, "Hey kid, I want to have a word with you, so wait here."

Roku, seated on a log where the king had sat earlier, patiently waited for Kenny's return. His face still bore traces of happiness, a stark contrast to the uncertainty that had loomed just moments ago.

The king had given his word to change the fate of the survey corps.

When Kenny returned, he greeted Roku with a typical air of sarcasm, "Well, kid, it's been a long time."

"And you greeted me with a knife," Roku replied seemingly annoyed.

"That's how I greet people normally," Kenny replied jokingly

Kenny took a seat beside Roku, observing the change in the young man. "It seems you became a slave so quickly. You seemed so determined," he commented.

"Yes, as you say, I became a slave" Roku agreed with him

"But I don't know what I am being slaved to. Is it freedom, discovery, responsibility, or the hope of my comrades?" Roku's face displayed confusion, his thoughts a tangled web.

Kenny, recognizing the internal struggle, noted, "It seems your head is in a little mess."

Roku sighed, "Well, I don't know."

"You matured so early, boy. It seems you got through hell," Kenny commented depending on Roku's actions

"That's how life goes for us, the survey corps," Roku responded, a weight of experience evident in his voice.

"Well, good luck with it. I warned you it's not going to be easy," Kenny remarked

"Thanks, Kenny," Roku expressed his gratitude with a tone that carried a mixture of respect and camaraderie.

"What for, you dumb kid?" Kenny retorted.

"I'm not a kid anymore. Shut up, you old man," Roku replied

"Well, you may not have been a good man, but you helped me get out of the mud. You opened the doors of my journey. That's why I'm grateful to you. But don't get any ideas; I still hate you," Roku admitted, expressing a complex blend of emotions.

"Hate me?" Kenny chuckled. "Well, hate me as much as you want. I'm not a good man, so you've got your right to hate me."

"I'm not a good man myself, too, so we're even," Roku replied, acknowledging the shared imperfections that defined them.

"Damn you, kid. You even became more mature than me," Kenny said sarcastically.

"I've to leave, see you later, old man," Roku remarked.

"See you, greyhead," Kenny replied

Roku chuckled, and in that moment, Kenny felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the young man find a slice of happiness. It was a rare sight, considering that kid had seldom smiled, if ever.

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End of the Chapter