Chapter 1: Prologue
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1: Prologue
Stay focused. Don't stop.
A rain of arrows poured down again.
I swung my sword, blocking some while others struck home. I charged forward, thrusting my blade through two men before wrenching it free to cut down another.
I could not fall.
This could not be the end for Secritia.
A figure rushed toward me. I swung my sword on pure instinct.
He blocked it with a Shield, then asked, "I will remember you. What is your name?"
"Forgotten."
I am nothing but a sword that serves the king.
I raised my one remaining arm.
At his gesture, my sword shattered.
"Ah... so you're Chase's younger brother. I'd wanted to meet you."
My only answer was to swing the hilt that remained of my sword. He didn't dodge.
He sent an Ice Spear toward me.
I couldn't block it.
— CRACK!
The sound of my own life shattering echoed in my ears.
Breathing became a struggle.
"I am Arsen Hertz, Commander of the Valkan Mage Corps of Kairis. Bern, Royal Brother of Secritia. I will remember you. You have fought enough."
I lifted my eyes, searching the distance. I tried to find my brother, His Highness.
But my blurring vision showed me nothing.
"So now, rest."
The light faded.
* * *
That was my last memory.
When I opened my eyes again, I was ten years in the past.
Of all places, I was in Kairis—the very kingdom that had destroyed my homeland, Secritia. And of all people, I was in the body of the 3rd Prince, Calian.
Calian.
A weak prince, a waste of the draconic blood that ran in his veins.
He was a coward with no political backing and lacked even the ability to protect himself. He lived his whole life holding his breath, only to be assassinated before he even turned fifteen.
That was the future that awaited me.
The face in the mirror—Calian's—seemed to ask, So, what are you going to do now?
I answered.
"Isn't it obvious?"
I have to live.