Chapter 327 Great King Roland – His Life and Character
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
For the then-Crown Prince Roland Canaria, that day was a watershed moment. It marked the first time he had ever stepped beyond the royal palace walls. One can only imagine how dazzling the world appeared to a boy of such a sensitive age; it truly goes without saying.
Similarly, when one considers the profound impact this day had on the development of the man later revered as the Wise King¹, the Kind King, and the Martial King, it stands as a singular day for us as well. There are researchers who argue that his later brilliance in unifying the neighboring states, his deep-seated compassion for the common folk, and even his legendary courage in the slaying of the catastrophe-class beast Mosehick, all have their roots in this one outing.
To the benefit of historians, the minute details of this day are preserved in a journal written by the King’s own hand. Composed with the raw, vibrant sensitivity of youth, this journal is valued not just as a primary source, but as a masterpiece of literature, cherished by countless scholars and public figures.
While I highly recommend the original text to my readers, as a historian, I must provide a more analytical framework. By synthesizing the ‘Journal’ with the ‘Memoirs’ written in the King’s twilight years, I will outline those events and attempt to capture the true essence of his character.
As an introduction to the figures involved, let us quote a passage from the ‘Memoirs’ where the King reflects on the man who first led him outside the castle walls: the Honorable Kento Harvest.
”Regarding my encounter with Kento Harvest, I still lack the precise vocabulary to properly define it,” the King wrote. “Even if I were to stack words like ‘impact,’ ‘astonishment,’ ‘inspiration,’ or ‘providence,’ they would remain insufficient to convey the state of my heart.”
”To begin with, simply labeling the man is an exhausting endeavor,” the King continued. “He was undoubtedly a magic toolmaker of the highest order. Yet, the first words that spring to mind are ‘devoted husband’ and ‘doting father.’ Beyond that, he was a merchant prince, a master strategist, a politician, a researcher, a philosopher, and an educator. Or perhaps, one could simply disparage him as a ‘total deviant’ and be done with it.”
”In him, I saw the phantom of a father I barely remembered. Or perhaps, the longing for a brother I never had,” the King admitted. “I wondered if my father had lived, would he have stroked my head so warmly? If I had been born with a brother, would he have taken my hand and led me forward as he did?”
”Whatever the case, I know this much: on that day in my youth, I encountered the mentor of my life. Even the word ‘mentor’ feels inadequate as I write it. Such was the man, and such was our meeting.”
As the Great King stated, the achievements of Kento Harvest span numerous fields. While I will not list them all here, his most representative work was the research and development of the “Ultra-Miniature Magic Circuit².”
As I am not a historian of technology, and because various schools of thought conflict, it is difficult to state exactly how much he contributed to that breakthrough. However, it is certain that he was central to the early research stages.
Let us return to the boy Roland. According to his ‘Journal,’ the path they took is well-documented. They exited the palace via a secret passage, emerging in the northwest district of the capital, Canarias.
From there, they walked to what is still known as “Northwest Park,” where they looked out over the town below. The ‘Journal’ contains a passage often praised as a masterwork of prose, where the young Roland lays bare his heart:
”When we reached the park on the high ground, the entire capital city spread out as far as I could see,” Roland wrote. “The morning light made the town look as if it were shimmering. If I narrowed my eyes, I could almost see the faces of the people in the streets; if I listened closely, the distant hum of the crowd seemed to make my very ears vibrate.”
”The town I had only ever watched from afar was now right in front of me,” Roland continued. “The scenery, which had been nothing more than a painting to me, suddenly had texture and weight. It sounds shameful, but I feel as if I finally understood what my sister has been working so hard to protect.”
After a long silence, Kento-san stroked my head and spoke. “It won’t do to be satisfied with just this,” Kento-san said.
His hand was large and warm. Encouraged by that touch, I began to walk toward the main thoroughfare. My heart was thumping so hard it was almost painful.
While it is difficult to believe these words were written by a mere teenager, the ‘Journal’ maintains this emotional depth throughout. This drive to depict the world through his senses was likely the influence of the poet Charondelle, one of his early tutors.
The Great King would later repeat the phrase “Never forget Northwest Park” in his writings. It was the moment he truly vowed to lead his people. Today, a bronze statue of the young Roland stands in Northwest Park, serving as a popular landmark. I suggest readers visit it to experience the boy’s journey for themselves.
From there, they headed to the main street. While modern laws have cleared the thoroughfares, at the time, the area was teeming with street vendors. It was here the King faced his first “Great Ordeal.”
”Kento-san didn’t give me much of an explanation; he just told me to go look at the stalls,” Roland wrote. “Even if I knew the theory of money and trade, I had never actually bought anything myself. It was an experience I couldn’t put a price on. Or so I thought at first, quite naively.”
”The result of that shopping trip… honestly, I’d rather not leave it in writing,” Roland admitted. “Now that the day is over, I realize just how foolishly I acted. Kento-san said things like ‘this is part of your education’ or ‘you don’t learn until you fail,’ but I am certain he was enjoying himself.”
”I still have that mysterious sculpture sitting on my desk,” Roland added. “The shopkeeper swore it was a traditional dragon, but it still looks like nothing more than a dying bat to me. Why on earth did I want it so badly in that moment?”
This is the origin of the famous “Canarias Trinket³.” It is a case of a lie becoming a reality; the “traditional craft” invented by a lying merchant eventually became the signature souvenir of the city.
The original piece is currently on display at Merchant Guild Canarias. I recommend stopping by during any trip to the capital. And of course, don’t forget to buy a replica of the ‘mysterious sculpture’ as a gift. You won’t be swindled today, so you can shop with confidence.
Regardless, it was at this moment that the boy learned to “doubt.” His later reputation as the Wise King, known for his careful deliberation, was likely born from this very embarrassment.
If he had remained a pure, gullible boy, it is unlikely the historic agreement at the Western Nations Conference would have ever been reached. Of course, such traits did not bloom instantly. For a while, he remained at the mercy of the various “mischievous lessons” orchestrated by Kento Harvest. As the King noted in his ‘Memoirs’: “In the end, I never once managed to best the man.”
(Omitted)
As we have seen, this “Social Studies Field Trip⁴” stirred deep emotions in the heart of the boy Roland and provided him with vital lessons. He gained the perspective of a commoner, a vision of the people he was to protect, and an understanding of negotiation and skepticism.
Furthermore, how much must he have been emboldened by the assessment of Tania, the Hero of the Founding, who remarked that he “possessed the temperament of the First King and the shadow of the Eighth King”?
His time at the Adventurer Guild also sparked his interest in monsters and his yearning for adventure. Though he was likely exhausted at the time, the seeds of his future reign were certainly being sown.
One cannot help but reflect on how special this day was for the young Roland, and how deeply it influenced his time on the throne. If this “Social Studies Field Trip” had not occurred, the destiny of Kingdom Canarias would surely have been different. After all, it was shortly after this that the boy would experience his very first “love.”
— Andrea Kashi, “Great King Roland: His Life and Character,” Meanmay Publishing
—
Summary:
A historical retrospective framing the seminal ‘Social Studies Field Trip’ of a young Prince Roland and his mentor Kento Harvest. The chapter highlights Roland’s first exposure to the common world, leading to his growth into a ‘Wise King’. It concludes with a teaser about his first love.
—
Trivia:
- The ‘Dying Bat’ ornament is actually the origin of a famous city souvenir.
- Kento is referred to as a ‘total deviant’ by the King in his later years.
- Roland’s sister is the one currently ruling or working hard to protect the kingdom.
- The term ‘Social Studies Field Trip’ is likely a modern Isekai term introduced by Kento
—
Character Insight:
Roland moves from a sheltered royal perspective to one of texture and texture, learning the value of skepticism through being swindled by a street vendor. Kento’s role as a father figure/brother figure is deeply emphasized.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The chapter uses a ‘book-within-a-book’ format, quoting both a youthful ‘Journal’ and an elderly ‘Memoir’ to provide a complete character arc.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply