Light Novel Volume 19/Summary

Chapter 1 : Zanoba's Resolve.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 2 : Foreboding.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 3 : To Shirone Again.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 4 : King Pax.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 5 : Fort Karon.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 6 : Preparations for War.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 7 : War.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 8 : Emergency Situation, Zanoba True Motive.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 9 : To Pax's side.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 10 : Everything was for Naught.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 11 : Post War.
Information to be added later on.

Chapter 12 : Zanoba's Chosen Path.
Information to be added later on.

Interlude: The Death God Knight and the Gluttonous Prince
In the imperial villa of the King Dragon Kingdom, Pax is telling Benedict a story about how he single-handedly took over a slave trading ring… or rather, about how his bodyguards did the work for him. Pax feels somewhat guilty about exaggerating his past deeds, but Benedict still thinks his stories are incredible regardless of their authenticity. Given that both of their reputations are the lowest of the low in the imperial villa, nobody else is willing to talk to them, so they have turned to each other for support. However, Pax’s diligence to his body training and studies is slowly but surely improving his image among the others. On their way to Pax’s room, the two smell a bizarre, pungent odor that ever so slightly stimulates their appetites. Going to the training grounds to investigate, the sight that awaits them seems to be straight out of a painting—a skeleton (Randolph) stirring a large pot, with five guards lined up as if awaiting their last meal. Pax demands to know what is going on, and the guards tell him: they didn’t properly secure their general’s saddle, and he fell off his horse during a training exercise. The general, in all his magnanimity, let them go without a punishment, and instead had Randolph treat them to a meal. Among the soldiers, there are rumors that Randolph is an assassin directly serving the general, doing his dirty work by taking out major political enemies. They are convinced that they are about to be executed by poisoning and start begging Pax to save them. While Randolph denies that he has any intention of killing the soldiers, Benedict gives Pax a pleading look, and Pax demands that Randolph serve him a portion first. He predicts that Randolph will back down since poisoning a prince would create an international incident, but Randolph eagerly begins ladling out a serving for him. Insulted, Pax refuses to back down and silently vows to send the King Dragon Kingdom into chaos from the grave. Randolph places a bowl of purple stew in front of Pax, whose sensory cortex is screaming that the substance in front of him is NOT MEANT TO BE EATEN. Summoning his resolve, Pax swallows a chunk of meat… and finds that it is surprisingly tasty. His tongue starts to go numb, and Pax laments that while he didn’t accomplish anything meaningful in his short life, at least his final act could be something to be proud of. Turning defiant, Pax orders Randolph to give him seconds, claiming that the stew would be wasted on the soldiers’ unrefined taste buds. The soldiers frantically leave the area while giving Pax grateful looks. Benedict also asks for a bowl of stew, and Pax accepts that she probably wouldn’t be able to survive the loneliness that would ensue after he is gone. The two of them finish the entire pot (LN illustration), upon which Pax asks Randolph when the effects will kick in. Randolph responds that they would take effect very soon, and Pax feels as if he is at peace—dying under a blue sky after eating a delicious meal wouldn’t be so bad. Randolph reveals his secret ingredient: sanshoku seeds, which are purple in color, cause tongue numbness, and have a strong sedative effect—perfect for dispelling feelings of frustration, anxiety, or depression. Although Randolph finds it unfortunate that he was unable to help the soldiers relax, he is elated that Pax enjoyed his food and offers to treat him to another meal. Pax agrees, and leaves the area with Benedict.

The flashback ends. Pax and Randolph are looking out over the Theirown Kingdom from the royal castle. Smoke is rising from fires lit all throughout the city, and people are gathering en masse below. Pax tells Randolph that he really thought that he was going to die back then, and Randolph responds that he would rather that Pax had taken that comment to the grave. The two reflect on how that was the beginning of their friendship and how the majority of people gathering below have not accepted Pax as their ruler. Despite becoming king, his only true allies are Benedict and Randolph. Pax entrusts Randolph with teaching his child swordsmanship and cooking in the event that he dies—to give Pax Jr. the best education possible, and to praise him, for Pax knows firsthand the pain of one’s efforts not being acknowledged. Randolph, sensing that Pax intends to kill himself, accepts Pax’s request. While he may not be a true “god of death / shinigami (死神)”, his inherited title is “Death(死) God(神)”, and the Death God before him would always honor a dying person’s last words. As Pax disappears into his bedroom, Randolph closes his eyes, whispering that he would much prefer that Pax didn’t die.