Ron Grapple

"As the husband and Duke, you have to first attend to your own responsibilities."

- Ron Grapple to Muzuri Conchita

Ron Grapple was the grand chamberlain of the Conchita family. Serving closely to Muzuri Conchita, he was among the household inadvertently cursed during the duke's daughter Banica's birthday celebration. Becoming one of the few survivors of the plight, the man continued working for the ruined noble family.

Early Life
"My Lord, the livestock has been transferred to the barn..." "Does it look like a delicious animal, yes or no?" "Well, it... Evidently, it isn't known who the giver of the livestock is."

- Ron and Muzuri

Born in the third century EC, Ron was hired as a servant to Duke Muzuri Conchita around EC 293 and eventually became the grand chamberlain. In November of EC 296, Ron stood by as his employer oversaw the gifts given in honor of the birth of Muzuri's daughter, Banica. When the Duke asked who had sent the sword and shield, the chamberlain was taken aback and replied they had come from Empress Juno, noting he should recognize them. As Muzuri expressed pleasure over all the new gifts, Ron pointed out how they were sent in advance due to the other nobles not being able to attend the birthday feast.

After the Duke cut him off, reminding him he knew this, Ron then heard him complain that he wanted to be with his daughter. The chamberlain told the Duke that she and Meguru were with another chamberlain and that, as husband and Duke, he had other responsibilities to attend to. When Muzuri continued to complain Ron added that once he settled down he would be able to spend more time with Banica, telling him to be patient. Soon after, he was informed that a new gift was brought to the mansion, this time a live animal. Commanded to go have a look, Ron went to the door of the estate and found that the animal had already been delivered to the barn, and that the sender of the gift was unknown.

The chamberlain reported this to Muzuri and then followed his master inside to have a look at the pig. He then watched as Muzuri recognized the new red pig, the baemu, and was witness to his explanation on its rare, legendary status. After Muzuri determined the pig was a gift from God and to be served in tonight's banquet, he was left with the stockman and helped carry the pig to the kitchen. Like the rest of the staff, Ron ate the baemu pig during the celebratory feast that night, as well as drinking too much alcohol.

Ten Years of Gula
"I don't know whether the incident of this time is the same as your current one, but if you hold off the disease—no, this "curse" as you call it, for ten years, you might be alright."

- AB-CIR

Dizzy from hangover the next morning, the chamberlain cleaned the garden before finding a man fallen by the back door to the kitchen. Recognizing the head cook, Ron asked what was wrong and then tried to summon help. After the family doctor came and told the chamberlain that the chef was indeed dead but not a known cause of death, Ron remembered how he had eaten the baemu. Suspecting the rare pig could've been poisoned, the chamberlain immediately reported his concerns to Muzuri.

Afterward, the Duke ordered everyone to be examined by the doctor and Ron obeyed. Once everyone was checked for similar symptoms, the doctor told them they'd just have to wait and see, saying he'd stay overnight due to the circumstances so they should tell him if they notice anything. With no one suffering the same symptoms after a day since eating the pig, everyone began believing the cook died of an unrelated illness. As a new death occurred each day for the next four days, the entire household became increasingly unnerved.

When Muzuri sought the council of AB-CIR regarding the recent deaths, Ron joined the Duke's meeting with the mage the next day. After AB-CIR confirmed the wine glass found in the baemu's stomach was the source of the deaths, Muzuri ordered Ron to retrieve the red wine glass from the treasury vault and the chamberlain abided; once he returned with the wine glass in hand, Ron was shocked to see a red cat leap from the mage's robes and grapple the wine glass from him.

After AB-CIR took the glass and stated it would be his payment, Ron listened to the mage confirm for Muzuri that the "Gula Disease" they suffered would only be stopped from progressing beyond one death per day. The mage then told them that a single man from Gula village survived by satiating his appetite for ten years and suggested they could possibly do the same. Once AB-CIR stated there was no other way and pointed out it should be possible if the feudal lord used his authority to collect food from his territory, the mage left.

As the staff continued to die over time, Ron managed to satiate his appetite. Six years later, he attended a meal with Muzuri, Meguru, and Banica. Witnessing Meguru attempting to stuff the child's leftovers down her throat, the servant protested that she didn't need to force her to eat, pointing out the girl hadn't eaten the baemu; she ignored him and he watched the furious woman stuff the child's uneaten carrot's down her throat. Over time, he continued to satiate himself and survive the ordeal. When the ten year period finally passed, Ron was one of the only members of the Conchita household to survive the disease, alongside Muzuri and Banica.

Later Life
After Empress Juno stripped Muzuri of his authority over his territories, Ron took care of the household as the duke's health worsened. Under Muzuri's instructions, the chamberlain hired Arte and Pollo to take care of Banica in the wake of the deceased staff. Around EC 311, Ron accompanied Banica to Marlon to meet with her betrothed, Prince Carlos, and introduced her to the Prince. On Muzuri's deathbed in August, EC 321, Ron watched as his lord died happy to know his daughter would be given the territories he lost.

After Banica had gone on a journey with Arte and Pollo around July of EC 323, Ron took advantage of the twins' absence to clean their room. Noticing a hole in the back of the fireplace, Ron lodged his arm inside and retrieved the red wine glass. Recognizing the cursed glass, the shocked servant pocketed the glass and immediately began leaving to throw it out. Blocked by the two twins, they demanded he not throw it away, claiming they would need it to save Banica from ruin. Realizing they meant the wine glass, he asked if they were the ones who brought it there. The two immediately denied the notion, explaining they would just follow Banica's decision, whether it was death or a contract with the Demon of Gluttony. After the two said he wouldn't disturb it, one grappled Ron's neck and killed him.

Undead Revival
He was later revived along with the rest of the servants and made to guard Banica's mansion. When the Beelzenian army surrounded the mansion in EC 325, Arte rode upon Ron as a steed while commanding the undead horde to slaughter the soldiers. At some point, the dead soldier discovered Banica had sired a son. Later on, the undead Ron wandered into a town and was captured and caged there. He was later released by Elluka Clockworker in August and the mage subsequently placed a palm on his forehead and banished the demon's influence from him. As his body was reduced to a skeletal state, he revealed all that he knew about the situation to the sorceress, begging her to help Banica and her baby by destroying the wine glass before his body fell apart.

Personality and Traits
"M'lady! Unlike us, Lady Banica hasn't eaten the baemu. There's no need to force her to eat like that!"

- Ron to Meguru

Ron was a loving and loyal man, devoted to serving the Conchitas in both their best and worst of times. Polite and very formal, Ron believed in upholding the duties expected of both his noble lords and himself as their servant. As a result, he could be very strict with his constituents and even his aristocratic masters. However, the man could still relax and enjoy himself when presented the opportunity, enjoying drinking wine and partyin as well. He was also a kind and considerate of others.

Due to his long history with the family, the man shared a very close relationship with both Muzuri and Banica, caring for both their wellbeings and treating them with the upmost respect. Although having suffered gula for a decade, Ron didn't blame Muzuri for the plight and supported his lord's decision to share the baemu with everyone, believing the cursed creature's delicious taste to have reflected the kind gesture. Despite this, Ron wasn't above criticizing his master for his behavior and reminding him about his conduct.

Likewise, Ron was especially caring with Banica. Having witnessed the suffering, abuse, and death the child had grown up in, the aging servant treated her like the true victim of the events and wished only for her to find true happiness. Because of this, the servant was unafraid to stand up for the child when looked down upon by others and supported her in the same way he supported her father. Though typically polite and tolerant, Ron was nevertheless annoyed and somewhat unnerved with Arte and Pollo's conduct as servants.

Skills and Abilities
"As expected of you, Ron. You remember things well."

- Muzuri

As a longtime servant, Ron was capable with cleaning and other menial chores, his skills honed from years of serving the Conchitas. As the grand chamberlain, he handled all kinds of tasks in the family and often accompanied the feudal lords he served to fulfill whatever they required of him. His suitable decorum, manner, and memory also made him excellent as both an adviser and representative for the family. However, Ron lacked any apparent combat skills.

Conceptualization and Origin

 * Ron's name is Scottish in origin, meaning "mighty counselor" or "ruler".
 * The English word grapple means to "engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons" or "wrestle".

Appearances

 * Deadly Sins of Evil: Evil Food Eater Conchita (first appearance)
 * Waltz of Evil: The Deadly Sins of Evil Guidebook (mentioned only)