Seventy years ago, the vibrant Kingdom of Esperia was ruled by King Reuven, a man remembered as much for his eccentricities and fierce compassion as he was for his tragic end. Husband to Queen Candelle and father to Princess Shuri, Reuven was a monarch who walked among his people, fiercely protected his friends, and met a dark, mysterious fate supposedly at the hands of his own daughter.
The Face of a King: Appearance and Demeanor
Reuven was a man whose appearance shifted drastically as he aged, though he always carried an air of intense gravity.
In his youth (Age 21): Reuven was a slim prince with an unusually mature face for his age. Clean-shaven and crownless, he favored dark, military-style uniforms, though he frequently donned much plainer clothing to disguise his royal status and walk among the commoners.
In his prime (Age 30): By the time he was king, Reuven had grown into a much larger, imposing figure. His look became distinctly scruffy, characterized by a frazzled haircut, a pronounced stubbly jaw, and large lips. His royal attire was a chaotic but unique blend of casual and regal: a simple tank top and striped pants held up by a massive belt, offset by a pearl necklace, a small crown, and a royal coat secured with a heavy chain.
Despite his somewhat unkempt and aloof exterior, Reuven was a deeply serious individual often to a comical degree. His intense demeanor meant he frequently misinterpreted casual situations. However, this same seriousness translated into an unwavering, protective love for his family and his subjects. He would gladly put his pride aside if it meant ensuring the safety of those he cared about.
A Champion of the People: The Meeting with Brook
Reuven was never one to sit idly in an ivory tower. During his time as a prince, he regularly disguised himself as a civilian to check on the wellbeing of his people. It was during one of these excursions, 79 years ago, that he met an 11-year-old vagrant named Brook in an Esperian junkyard.
Drawn in by the boy's music despite Brook's admittedly lackluster lyrics at the time Reuven struck up a conversation. The two quickly bonded over fishing and singing. Brook even offered the prince a "meal" of a grasshopper, a frog, and curry soup. Though it tasted terrible, Reuven was deeply touched by the gesture and equally horrified that anyone in his kingdom was living in such squalor.
When Brook was later arrested by corrupt Marines, falsely accused of being a drug courier for the criminal Moulon Family, Reuven did not hesitate. Alongside Candelle and his Battle Convoy, the prince intercepted the execution. Believing that a government tolerating such corruption was inherently untrustworthy, Reuven personally attacked the Marines, rescued Brook, and brought him back to the palace. He ignored the potential political fallout with the World Government, instead focusing on giving Brook an education and declaring him "Esperia's newest star."
The Final Years and the Moulon Syndicate
Within two years of rescuing Brook, Reuven married Candelle, and the couple later welcomed their daughter, Shuri.
Reuven’s fierce protectiveness often led to humorous misunderstandings. Seventy years ago, while tending to his garden, he overheard Brook expressing his admiration for Queen Candelle. Taking it as an assassination plot to steal his wife, a furious Reuven confronted Brook who calmly clarified he would just wait for the king to die of natural causes. When a young Princess Shuri offered to marry Brook instead, and Brook rejected her, Reuven's rage comically boiled over again.
This domestic chaos was abruptly cut short when guards reported that the Moulon Family had surrounded the opera house where Queen Candelle was staying, disabling the communication snails (Den Den Mushis). In a stroke of luck and a testament to the trust Reuven placed in his friends Brook had already neutralized the gang members earlier that morning, ensuring the Queen's safe exit.
Abilities and Powers
Political Authority: As the reigning king, Reuven held immense political sway over Esperia, though he often preferred hands-on action over bureaucratic maneuvering.
Swordsmanship: He was far from defenseless. During his days as a prince, Reuven was a highly skilled swordsman who specialized in wielding dual rapiers to devastating effect.
A Tragic Legacy
The later years of Reuven’s life remain shrouded in mystery. Despite his strength, his compassion, and the powerful allies he kept close, his reign came to an abrupt end. According to historical accounts passed down by Brook, King Reuven was murdered by his own daughter, Princess Shuri. The motivations behind this betrayal remain one of Esperia's darkest secrets.
Behind the Lore: Musical Trivia
Befitting the musical theme of the Esperia Kingdom, Reuven's character design and name draw heavy inspiration from the classical pianist and composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In Japanese, Beethoven's full name is written as Rūtovihi van Bētōven (ルートヴィヒ・ヴァン・ベートーヴェン). By combining the first two characters ("ルー") and the last three ("ヴェン"), you get "Reuven" (or "Luven"), a clever nod to the legendary musician.
No comments:
Post a Comment