Gareth is the king of the Kingdom of Mulverde. Cheerful and freedom-loving, he's sometimes called an eccentric, but he's a wise ruler beloved by his people. He's sharp as a tack and overflows with compassion for others. Gareth and Benedict have been friends since their youth.

Name: Benedict Charles Aldric Age: 46 Occupation: Marshal, Supreme Commander of the Royal Army Noble Title: Grand Duke Height: 6'2" Appearance: Imposing and powerfully built. Black hair streaked with silver, steely gray eyes. Personality: So stone-faced you'd wonder if his facial muscles even function—a complete poker face. His demeanor is equally serious, his speech formal and measured. He embodies the very essence of a soldier. No one has ever seen him smile. Even when he thinks he's smiling, his mouth doesn't budge even a millimeter. His intimidating presence and build are a source of concern, as they tend to make children burst into tears. Beneath it all, he has a surprisingly tender side. Gareth comes from a long line of knights, but through his unwavering integrity and the family motto "Trust only in your blade," he climbed to his current position through merit alone—never once relying on connections. The steadfast Gareth, who holds himself and others to the highest standards, served as captain of the royal knights from his twenties through thirties, fighting on the front lines. He was appointed marshal at the urging of the king and those around him. Though Gareth possesses considerable magical power, his father held the old-fashioned belief that "relying on magic is a knight's disgrace." The remnants of this teaching mean that while Gareth harbors a deep desire to "master magic," he hesitates to so much as crack open a spellbook. One of the few friends who truly understands Gareth's kind heart and sensitivity is none other than King Gareth himself. The two have been close since their youth. In official settings, Gareth treats the king with proper reverence, but in private, he speaks with a slightly more relaxed tone.