Foreword
A brief summary of Chapter 1.
The boy called a monster, Sora, lost his life in an unfortunate accident and was reincarnated into a world of swords and emblems. Bearing the Regalia Emblem as the sixth king, he received a new name: Leo.
Initially swept up in the tides of war, Leo eventually chose to throw himself into the struggle of his own volition. Amidst the cycle of killing, he discovered his own sense of justice: if he became the strongest, he could end the conflict immediately. He sought power because he wanted to avoid taking lives as much as possible.
Resolved to fight on his own terms, Leo enrolled in the Knight Academy of the Sword Kingdom. There, as a member of the Student Council, he met new comrades. Following the Meritorious Star Decoration Ceremony, he received honors from Prince Haurezel, and his fame began to spread.
At the victory banquet following the ceremony, Leo spent the night dancing with Flare. Now, he prepares for the next battle.
The main story resumes.
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The dancing had wound down. Thinking the banquet was likely nearing its end, I retreated to a chair at the edge of the room to eat some cake.
Was Flare still eating? Ah, they’d brought out more. I decided to go grab another slice. Just as the thought crossed my mind, someone came to sit beside me.
She was likely in her early thirties. With red hair reminiscent of Flare’s and a piercing, commanding gaze, she exuded the presence of a knight far more than that of a traditional royal.
"It has been a long time, boy... or should I say, Leo?"
"Lady Scarlett."
Scarlett Arcadia. She was the First Princess of this kingdom.
Beside her stood... Reinhardt, if I recalled correctly. He offered me a smile, and I bowed my head in respect.
"May I take the seat next to you?"
"Of course."
"Now then, I must first offer my thanks. If it were possible, I would have preferred to hold the Meritorious Star Decoration Ceremony for you myself... but four years have passed, and we have finally crossed paths again."
"I’m sorry. I wasn't able to offer my greetings sooner..."
"Hehe, there is no need. I have heard the full circumstances from Gaia."
From Gaia...? Did that mean he’d told her about the Regalia Emblem too? I kept my left hand hidden; it was still wrapped in the thick, bandage-like cloth my mother had specially made for me.
"I heard you received a Vassal Emblem from a knight named Olgal."
"............"
I searched the depths of my memory for the name. That was it—he had been the Knight Commander of Gald’s unit. He was the leader of the knights who had accompanied me to seek help from Gaia that day. But he was supposed to have been killed.
"I have no intention of rebuking you. You were only eight years old, yet you helped defeat Dragonia. However, I understand that Olgal perished, and you are currently drawing emblem power from Gaia."
"............Yes. That’s right."
Apparently, that was the cover story they’d settled on. Please tell me these things beforehand, I thought as I glanced toward Gaia.
Our eyes met. His gaze was terrifying, sharp as a hawk’s. I quickly looked away.
"I was truly saved that day. I thank you from the bottom of my heart," Scarlett said.
"No, I was just desperate to save my mother."
"I see... You also have someone to protect. I heard you enrolled in the Academy. Reinhardt here is a graduate, as am I. You will learn much there, and you will surely meet comrades with whom you will share your life. I expect you to grow greatly in both mind and body."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Lady Scarlett gave me a small, warm smile and stood up.
"I cannot acknowledge it publicly, but I am deeply indebted to you. If you ever find yourself in need, please rely on me."
"............Lady Scarlett, may I ask you something?"
"Hm? Of course."
"Why do you fight? Why do you want to become the Queen?"
I asked what was honestly on my mind. She was a woman embroiled in a bitter succession struggle; I wanted to know the convictions driving her.
"The reason I fight...?"
"You’re competing for the throne, aren't you? I want to know why."
"Leo, that is—" Reinhardt began, but Scarlett held up a hand.
"No, it is fine, Reinhardt. This is a question I must answer. As one who aims for the throne... I owe it to this straightforward knight."
Closing her eyes for a moment, Lady Scarlett spoke.
"I was once a Blessed Slave myself."
"What?"
"It happened decades ago, during the era of turmoil with Dragonia—and indeed, with all the surrounding nations. My parents and I were unfortunate enough to be taken prisoner during a Dragonian invasion."
"Even royalty?"
"Yes. We were at war with the Odixia Federation as well, and we were caught on our evacuation route. Had they known we were royalty, they would have killed us instantly. So, we disguised ourselves as commoners and were taken into custody."
"Even with the Regalia Emblem?"
"My grandfather held the Regalia Emblem back then. He still does. So there was no issue passing ourselves off as commoners... but Leo, do you know what lies in store for a prisoner?"
I remembered the words of the enemy knight at Secondary. He’d said they would just brand the prisoners with a Familia Emblem and turn them into Blessed Slaves.
"—Blessed Slaves."
"Exactly. The power of emblems is not infinite. We offer the life force of the people as a blessing to the King, and we use that power to fight. In this warring world, it is the inevitable fate of foreign prisoners to be used up as Blessed Slaves."
I recalled Gald saying that the citizens of defeated nations all suffered that same fate.
"My time as a Blessed Slave wasn't long, but every day was a living hell. I felt a constant, crushing lethargy and exhaustion. We were subjected to forced labor in a horrific environment, fed meager meals that practically invited us to die. But... my parents gave their portions of food to me. As a child, I didn't understand the weight of that sacrifice; I just ate because I was hungry. Now, I understand that love. And my parents... they died. It was just a common cold. Dragonia didn't even bother to bury them."
"............"
"Shortly after, I was rescued through a strategy devised by my grandfather and Gaia. Now, I stand here with those memories, that resentment, and that resolve in my heart. I cried until I was dry and screamed until my voice failed. I swore then that I would eliminate the Blessed Slave system from this world. That is why I fight. Do you understand?"
"...I do. Very much so."
Her words came from the depths of her soul. I hated the idea of the Blessed Slave system too. I didn't want my mother, or anyone on the Student Council—anyone at all—to suffer like that.
"I’ve talked for too long, Leo. I am truly glad that a knight of your talent has appeared in our kingdom. The day will come when we stand together on the battlefield. I look forward to it."
She extended her hand, and I squeezed it tightly. Lady Scarlett was exactly as I’d imagined: a passionate and deeply kind person.
After the banquet concluded, I was approached again.
"Leo, do you have a moment?"
"Ah, President Jin."
Jin Ashtress, the Student Council President, walked up to me and handed me a letter.
"This is from Lord Haurezel. He wishes for you to meet him at this location tomorrow. And... since I have no reason to hide it, I should tell you: I do not belong to Lady Scarlett's faction. I am a knight of Lord Haurezel's camp."
"A faction...?"
"You likely know by now that this country is split in two. The Ashtress House is a Count House; my father is a member of the Five Star Sword and a knight sworn to Lord Haurezel."
"I... I see."
A Five Star Sword... a man on the same level as Gaia. The political tension must be incredible. I realized I didn't even know if Gaia belonged to Scarlett's faction, though I suspected as much.
"Can I open this?"
"Of course."
Inside the letter was a map and a formal invitation written in polite prose, asking me to join him for dinner the following evening. It was clearly intended to be a conversation held away from prying eyes. I looked up at President Jin.
"Leo, I want you to speak with Lord Haurezel. Even after feeling Lady Scarlett's passion... I still want you to hear him out. And keep this in mind: the opposite of justice is not evil."
"............Yes."
And so, the banquet ended. I returned to my dormitory and went to sleep. Flare had some errands to run, so I’d walked back alone, using the opportunity to explore the capital.
I lay in bed, thinking. Lord Haurezel was the man competing with Lady Scarlett for the throne. They were natural enemies. I couldn't imagine Scarlett being "evil"—in fact, I liked her quite a bit. But what about Haurezel?
I fell asleep without an answer.
The next evening, I headed to the location marked on the map. When I arrived, I stopped in my tracks.
"............Here?"
The place was... pink. And it smelled overwhelmingly, cloyingly sweet.
Before me stood a gaudy, brilliant palace. I checked the invitation again. The map was correct. I remembered Flare's warning from that morning.
『You can't refuse, obviously, but be careful! Leo, you look like you’d be won over in a heartbeat!』
『It’ll be fine,』 I’d told her. It was just dinner, after all. But looking at this place, I started to suspect it wouldn't be that simple.
A sweet scent wafted from the building—perfume. It was the kind of fragrance I’d occasionally smelled on noblewomen. This palace felt distinct from the royal castle, almost like a foreign land. It felt like stepping into another world... though, technically, this whole place was another world to me.
As I stood dazed at the gate, a man in a suit approached me.
"Would you be Master Leo?"
"Yes."
"Lord Haurezel is waiting. Please, allow me to escort you."
I followed him inside. The interior was dim and predominantly black. We walked down a dark corridor over a plush red carpet until we reached a glittering golden door. The decor was aggressively luxurious, screaming for attention at every turn.
"Well then, please enjoy your evening."
The doors slowly swung open.
""Welcome to Eden, Master Leo!""
"............What is this?"
Dozens of beautiful women in shimmering dresses were lined up on either side of the path, bowing in perfect unison. It looked like some kind of high-end cabaret club.
"Hey, Leo! Over here!"
At the end of the path sat Lord Haurezel. Alcohol was laid out on the table, and women stood on either side of him, ready to pour. I walked toward him, feeling incredibly out of place. Don't be won over, Flare had said. I kept my guard up as I looked at the Prince.
"Please, take a seat."
"U-Umm... I thought we were having dinner."
"Hm? Haha, don't be so stiff. You there, bring that over."
"Yes, My Lord."
What they brought out was a cake larger than any I had ever seen. Is this a dream? I pinched myself. Ow. Not a dream.
Still, I wasn't going to be bought with cake. But I figured there was no harm in listening to him, since he’d gone to all this trouble. ............Slurp.
~ 30 minutes later ~
"Kyaa! Leo won again! You’re such a genius! Here, say 'aah'!"
"Munch munch munch. This is delicious."
"Oh, honestly! Leo, you're so cute! I can't believe you're actually this strong. Do you want another slice?"
"Yeah... munch munch munch munch."
"Lord Haurezel, can I take him home? He’s so cute and handsome! Can I seriously fall in love with him?"
"Munch munch munch."
"Ahaha! You're quite the hit, Leo! Come on, let’s have another round!"
"Munch munch munch. Okay. ............Wait."
I suddenly snapped back to reality. My memory felt like it had a gap in it. What on earth had I been doing?
I’d been playing a game where I used my Crest Sword to slice through liquor bottles without knocking them over. Apparently, this was a popular pastime in Arcadia, and the women were having a blast. Haurezel had told me I could eat cake every time I succeeded, so I’d been slashing away.
The alcohol that spilled from the sliced bottles had to be drunk. Haurezel was the one doing the drinking. He’d put away a staggering amount; he clearly had a high tolerance.
"I must say, I'm impressed," Haurezel said, leaning back. "I haven't seen a cross-section that clean since Gaia. Your skill is the real deal... I might be the one to collapse first at this rate."
"How long are we doing this?" I asked.
"Until you knock a bottle over, or I pass out from the booze. Urgh."
This felt like some ridiculous drinking game rowdy college students might play. Honestly... I wasn't going to be won over by this. Munch munch munch. Oh, excuse me. Could I have another slice of cake, please?
"Or so I’d like to say," Haurezel said, his tone shifting. "But my head is starting to swim. Let’s talk about something important."
"Yes, sir."
He clapped his hands, and the women promptly filtered out of the room. It was just the two of us. I took a sip of the drink that had been poured for me. It tasted strange, but it was actually pretty good.
"Now then, Leo. I'll be blunt. Won't you join my faction?"
"Your faction...?"
"Yes. The world is entering an era of unprecedented turmoil. Everything is unstable."
"Because of Dragonia, right?"
"That’s part of it. But more than that, it’s because the generations are shifting in every nation. Dragonia has Dragon King Valzak, and the other Great Nations have seen the rise of kings for a new age. Our country’s time has come as well. We must settle the succession quickly and rebuild the nation if we are to stand against Dragonia."
The Sword King was elderly and bedridden. It was time for a new ruler to take the lead. From what I’d heard, Lady Scarlett was the military expert, a woman who fought on the front lines. But Haurezel had been asserting himself in military matters lately, leading to constant friction.
"Embarrassingly, one of my knights was supposed to be the Commander-in-Chief at the Emerald Plains. But Scarlett and I had a disagreement over it."
"Is that why the country was put in danger?"
"Ahaha, you certainly don't pull your punches. Yes, exactly. If I were to make an excuse, we all thought we had more time. I never dreamed Emerald Castle would fall in an instant. When the report came in, I realized how dire things were and pushed for Gaia to take command, since he was the closest."
Even Iricobert had been shocked by the speed of the invasion. It really had been a lightning strike.
"Now, for the main point. Leo, do you know why I’m clashing with Scarlett?"
"A power struggle?"
"Hehe, no. It’s not that I’m desperate for the throne. I wouldn't mind if Scarlett became Queen. As you can see, life as a Prince is plenty of fun."
"Then why?"
"Because under Scarlett’s ideals, this country will rot and fall. You see, Leo... I intend to revive the Blessed Slave system."
Afterword
It’s been a while. I’m the type of author who gets motivated by comments and feels like the readers have vanished if the comment section goes quiet, so please feel free to leave a message, even a simple one.
I’d also be happy if you support the story with stars and follows.
Let’s really liven things up for Chapter 2!