Chapter 4 - The King Takes Responsibility!
Renji Abarai felt he must be going crazy.
He had rashly agreed to Gilgamesh's outrageous proposal.
He wanted to go back on his word, but his pride wouldn't let him.
With no other choice, Renji stubbornly said, "Let me make it clear, while I agree to follow you and become your subject, if you can't keep your promises, I'll leave at any time."
Gilgamesh smiled, "That's fine."
As they walked, Gilgamesh felt something under his foot and stopped to look down.
Rukia, curious, also looked and saw a perfectly preserved gemstone ring lying on the ground where Gilgamesh had stepped aside.
In disbelief, Rukia instinctively picked up the gemstone ring.
Renji, who was walking ahead, didn't notice anything unusual.
When he realized Gilgamesh and Rukia weren't keeping up, he turned around to see Rukia holding a very expensive-looking gemstone ring.
Shocked, Renji walked over and asked, "Rukia, when did you get that ring?"
Rukia shook her head and said, "It's not mine. It's…"
"Gil just happened to step on it."
Originally, Rukia wanted to address Gilgamesh as 'king,' but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Like Renji, Rukia had rashly agreed to Gilgamesh's proposal to become his initial subjects.
Thus, Rukia hadn't fully accepted or recognized Gilgamesh's royal status.
Renji was in the same boat, referring to Gilgamesh as 'Gil' for now.
Gilgamesh didn't mind.
Renji, hearing Rukia, was stunned.
He couldn't believe such outrageous good luck could happen twice in a short time to the same person, each instance more incredible than the last.
Though Renji didn't know the exact value of the gemstone ring, it certainly far exceeded 100,000 Kan.
More importantly, in the poor, chaotic 78th district of South Rukongai, who would own such a priceless ring and carelessly leave it in a deserted area?
If it weren't for the valuable water resources here, they wouldn't have come.
Yet, this incredible event happened to Gilgamesh.
Renji began to believe Gilgamesh's earlier claims about his fortune might be true.
Maybe it was a heavenly blessing, entwining his life with fortune.
But what kind of person would receive such a blessing?
Could he really have been a king?
With these thoughts, Renji suddenly wanted to learn about Gilgamesh's past and his deeds as a king.
Gilgamesh said, "Rukia, you can have this ring."
Rukia was stunned. She hadn't expected Gilgamesh to give her such a valuable ring.
Recovering, Rukia quickly refused, "No, this ring is yours. I can't take it."
Gilgamesh calmly said, "I promised you a lifetime of wealth, and this ring is just the beginning."
Smiling, he added, "Besides, don't you think it suits you?"
Rukia, who was about to refuse, couldn't bring herself to say no after hearing his words.
Initially, Rukia's good impression of Gilgamesh was due to his innate skill, Youthful Handsomeness (C), and this impression grew stronger over time.
With thoughts about the special meaning of the ring and Gilgamesh's words that it suited her, Rukia's heart raced, and her face flushed.
Perhaps due to his naturally blunt nature or his age, Renji didn't notice Rukia's reaction. He reached out to take the ring, saying, "Rukia, if you don't want it, give it to me."
"I think it suits me too."
Rukia quickly put the ring on and protected it, saying, "Don't even think about it. Gil said it's mine, so it's mine."
Though the ring was found, neither Gilgamesh, Rukia, nor Renji considered looking for the owner.
Given Rukongai's background, akin to Japan's Edo period, it was too backward.
In such a chaotic and unregulated area, finding the owner was impossible.
Moreover, flaunting wealth here would certainly attract trouble, even risking their lives.
Renji wanted to say more.
But before he could, a greedy voice called out, "Hey, kids over there, did you steal my gemstone ring?"
Renji and Rukia turned to see three men in tattered clothes, looking like vagrants, greedily eyeing the ring in Rukia's hand.
Living in Inuzuri, Renji and Rukia's expressions changed drastically. Without thinking, they grabbed Gilgamesh's hand to run.
As children, weak from years of malnutrition, they couldn't possibly match the three men.
If they didn't run, losing the ring would be the least of their worries.
In chaotic Inuzuri, killings happened daily.
But as they turned to flee, they saw two more vagrant-like men blocking their path, their faces also greedy.
Clearly, these two were with the first three.
Moreover, the five seemed well-coordinated, closing in on Gilgamesh, blocking all escape routes.
Renji and Rukia's faces turned grim.
If it were just the two of them, with their survival experience in Inuzuri, they might have escaped.
But with Gilgamesh, it was impossible.
To them, Gilgamesh's every move exuded nobility, like a noble from Seireitei.
Such people, pampered and privileged, couldn't possibly have their survival experience.
Their only chance now was to abandon Gilgamesh.
As if in sync, Renji and Rukia exchanged a determined glance.
Abandoning a comrade was something they would never do.
Yes, they already saw Gilgamesh as a comrade.
Renji gritted his teeth, "Gil, listen."
"In a moment, Rukia and I will distract those two men. Find a chance to run, don't look back, and don't try to help us."
Rukia added, "Once you escape, find a safe place. Renji and I will come for you."
As they prepared to act, Gilgamesh's youthful yet authoritative voice rang out, "Renji, Rukia, This King understand your intentions."
"But as your king, how can This King let my young subjects stand in harm's way?"
"This burden is for the king to bear."
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