episode_0045

Two young men tremble in front of a collapsing dojo.

If anyone had seen this sight, they would have laughed. Fortunately, no one was passing by on this street.

I had the same thought the last time I came here, but I could definitely feel the presence of people. However, I couldn’t see anyone.

Considering that it was 11am when we got there, I couldn’t help but wonder why we hadn’t seen a single person so far. Why were they hiding?

Whatever the reason, it was clear that it was because of us.

“Sigh… ”

Mars, who was calling out his breath and melting his hands, came into view.

“Are you really not going to tell me?”

“Yeah.”

“Ha… Then let me ask this. Are there usually no people here?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then why can’t I see anyone?”

“… It’s my fault.”

“Can’t you even tell me the reason?”

“Why are you so curious? It’s not a good thing for a student like you to know anyway.”

“Even though they are students, they are in a cooperative relationship now.”

“Ha… Okay, let me ask why it happened like this.”

“Are you ignoring my question?”

“… If you answer this question, I will answer that one too.”

What on earth did he want to ask? Since he was someone who obviously hated me, I never expected he would ask me questions about me.

As I hesitated, Mars got up.

“It’s okay if you say no. If you refuse, our story will end here.”

I caught Mars, who was preparing to leave this place at any moment.

“Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t think I’ll say anything even if you accept it like that.”

He looked at me with his shoulders raised, as if he really didn’t care what I said.

“So, will you accept it?”

“…”

I can’t even guess what question he’s trying to ask. Seeing him speak so earnestly, I guess it must be a dangerous question.

I am just a student.

There was no such thing as being stabbed.

The biggest problem is that if you don’t accept it here, your relationship with Mars will be completely ruined. That’s the kind of atmosphere it is.

I have no intention of going back yet, but if Luca keeps not showing up like this, then from Mars’ perspective, it’s like he wasted the day without getting anything out of it. So I admit that I’m being sensitive.

I nodded.

Only then did Mars, leaning against the wall again, take a deep breath.

“Why are you helping us like this?”

“… Yes?”

A more ordinary question than I had expected came out of Mars’ mouth. I could understand it.

What kind of punk would want to spend 12 hours with someone in a place like this?

Mars’ question also makes sense. If that’s the case, then why did he set the mood?

Without even thinking about it, I just laughed and answered him.

“If the troops here are weak, it will be difficult to achieve my goal, so of course that’s why. What other reason could there be?”

“… ”

A suspicious look.

There is no changing answer.

Because it’s true.

If my forces are weak, it means I won’t be able to find my weapon, and that means I won’t be able to save my friends.

No matter what, I need to help you so that you are strong and I can safely achieve my goal.

“Yeah.”

Mars sighed, perhaps not satisfied, smacking his lips again.

“What kind of answer did you want?”

“There wasn’t anything in particular.”

“… ”

“I still don’t trust you.”

“Can you say that in front of me?”

“He speaks as if he already knew.”

“It’d be weird if you didn’t know. But you still have a little bit, so aren’t you waiting with me like this?”

Mars nodded slightly.

“Yes, even though they are drunkards, if you look at the way they treat you, you can tell they are not the trash I think they are.”

“I feel like you trust those drunkards a lot.”

“They seem to have a good eye for people.”

“Um…so.”

“What is it?”

“Now, I would like you to answer my question.”

“Didn’t you forget?”

“It’s weird to forget.”

“That’s right too.”

Mars smiled and grabbed my shoulder.

“Our relationship is not a hierarchical one, but it means we are in a cooperative relationship, so you should speak informally to me too.”

“…Suddenly?”

“Yeah, your skills are too good to throw away. But that doesn’t mean I can trust you. So I want to become close with you and know for sure that you’re a good guy.”

“I want to be your friend because I can’t trust you… It’s kind of contradictory.”

“Whatever. What do you think?”

“I’m comfortable and happy.”

“Don’t forget that I’m your older brother.”

“You’re so picky.”

“So let’s talk about it… ”

thud.

Just before Mars answered my question.

Someone opened the door I was leaning against.

He raised his head, holding his head where it had hit the door.

There he saw a man standing alone.

“Come inside and talk.”

Where did he start listening to our story? He let us in with a look in his eyes that said he had heard our story.

***

The youngest son of the king of a country.

A position that allows one to live in a quiet place without having to participate in power struggles and the like.

It was a perfect position for me, who had no desire or aspiration for growth. I liked this country from the time I was young.

No matter how different their classes were, they all lived equally and equally because they were of the same race.

I loved this country so much that it could be called the pinnacle of peace. I didn’t want to change it by making meaningless sacrifices.

There were also thoughts that I wished it had not changed.

When I think about it, it seems like that was a small wish I had, and my only wish.

Every day, I wake up in a peaceful morning, live the same life, meet the same people, and talk to them.

It was fun.

If the day had not come when my father, the king of this country, passed away.

“Who are you!”

A man standing right next to his father, who is lying in bed with his eyes closed.

He introduced himself as Sarah Irmas.

Of course, it was a name that had never been heard in this palace. Everyone was wary of him.

Even though everyone was pointing swords and spears at him, he was smiling confidently.

I got goosebumps. That’s how I felt when I first saw him.

The gaze that looks at us like we are nothing in broad daylight. The smile that doesn’t change like a doll.

Sadly, I think I was the only one who felt creeped out by his appearance.

A man named Sarago approached us in a sly manner while we were on guard.

“Don’t be too cautious. I am here on the Lord’s orders… To put it simply, I am a revolutionary.”

“How can I believe that?”

“Is this the Royal Guard? Most people would respect me if they saw me.”

After licking his lips, Sarago took out a letter from the subspace and gave it to us.

“Let me introduce myself again. I am the newly appointed King, Sarah Irmas.”

“… ”

Everyone opened the imperial edict and checked it as if they couldn’t believe it.

⌜I will call the next king Irmas⌟

And underneath it is my father’s seal.

No one acknowledged the fact, but that’s all.

Whether they admit it or not.

In the end, the imperial edict in his hand became the proof.

But the crown princes did not acknowledge it.

At a time when everyone should be enemies, they formed a temporary alliance.

The total number of troops is 50,000.

The crown princes, without exception, expected their victory.

“Mars, are you really not going to do it together?”

“… Yeah, sorry, bro.”

“What are you sorry about? I just feel sorry.”

“What?”

“In this battle where victory is certain, you will be at a disadvantage just by participating… Why are you so worried about someone who is better at swordsmanship than us?”

“… Still, I don’t want my soldiers getting hurt in battles like this.”

“That’s exactly your answer. Okay. ”

“Thank you, but bro… ”

“Why?”

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry about anything else.”

My brother was unable to meet me that day. The same was true for my other brothers.

They were certain of victory.

Despite the number of 50,000, they were defeated in just two hours.

There is only one surviving crown prince.

It was me.

A rebellion broke out, and Sarago ordered the resignation of Luca, who was in charge of my guard, under the pretense of showing mercy to me.

Then I will spare your life.

I accepted his offer.

Fighting will only result in sacrifices. I do not wish for such innocent sacrifices. In any case, my life was one without greed or desire. In such a life, the two words ‘giving up’ made me feel more comfortable than anything else.

I don’t want any innocent victims. No, honestly, this is no different from running away because you’re afraid of dying.

Eventually, I lost faith in my army and forced General Luca to resign.

With everyone’s pillar, Luca, gone, the soldiers began to leave the palace. And I, too, was eventually driven out of the palace, as expected.

Every day was like hell. I was filled with regret. But it was okay.

Because I’m alive.

But that was a lie.

A country that changes when a new king takes office.

A country that is becoming increasingly corrupt and deteriorating.

A country where commoners ask for help and nobles walk around proudly.

That’s how the country I hated more than anything else came into being.

Seeing this country, I went to see my old soldiers as if I was possessed by something.

And now, we have formed a rebel army.

The living room becomes cold after the story ends.

We sat on the chairs without saying a word and looked at the cups in front of us. The white steam rising from the cups containing coffee had long since cooled down. If this was going to happen, why did we come?

“Ahem… ”

While I was internally complaining, Mars cleared his throat. It also meant that he was ready to start the conversation.

“Long time no see, Luca.”

“Long time no see, Prince.”

“That…Yeah… ”

An awkward silence followed again.

This silence that doesn’t know when it will end.

If no one continued speaking here, it was clear that we would not speak to each other again until dawn or the next day. But I, as a third party, could not speak first…

It’s difficult.

In a situation where neither one nor the other was working, this time it was Luca who spoke.

“So, what brings you here? Can I ask you something?”

“Huh? Uh… That… Um… ”

Mars had a hard time opening his heavy mouth. Cold sweat could be seen running down the back of Mars’ neck.

‘I don’t think you were this nervous even when I made a threat.

As time passed, Mars’ pupils began to shake violently as he was unable to open his mouth.

“If what you wanted to say was just a story about the past, I wish you would just go back. It’s getting late, and there must be a lot of people who are worried.”

Despite his request, Mars suppressed his trembling body and took a deep breath. Perhaps it would be right to see it as asking for more time. Unfortunately, Luca did not wait.

“I will walk with you to the entrance.”

Luca got up from his chair and walked straight into the hallway.

“Lu,Luka!”

The heartbreaking voice of Mars who finally found the courage.

widely.

“Why did you call me?”

It was enough to stop Luca.

“I’m… sorry.”

Luca’s voice, which was very tense, sounded like that of a child apologizing to his parents after a fight.

“What are you so sorry about? The prince did nothing wrong.”

“No. It’s my fault. I ran away and abandoned you under the pretext of not harming anyone. As a result, the country is falling apart.”

“There was no choice. There are times when you live well and times when you don’t.”

“There’s nothing I can do… Yeah, that might be true. But I want to make my wish come true.”

“I never thought a prince without desires would say something like that.”

“It might be hard to be in a country like the old days. I don’t have insight like my father or multi-talent like my brothers. Even if I had any, it would only be swordsmanship.

You may be angry or annoyed by this strange situation where a prince who abandoned his country is looking for a general who resigned with his own hands because he started a rebellion. But we need you, Luca.

Trust me one more time.”

Luca remained silent as if he was thinking a lot while listening to Mars. He waited for us while his long, drawn-out silence ended.

All our consequences were in his choice.

“Prince.”

“Why…Luca?”

“I never once resented the prince. Rather, I thought his choice was the right choice.”

“Then why.”

When Mars questioned Luca’s story, Luca fell silent again and opened his mouth.

“I was pathetic. In this situation, the soldier who was supposed to protect the prince… ended up being the prince who protected me.”

“That, that’s a mistake! I… I just need to survive… ”

“Prince. Don’t fool yourself. You are absolutely not that kind of person.”

“… ”

“I am afraid. I am too weak and I will lose your trust again. Prince. No matter how much of an army a general leads, he seems to shrink in the face of time. I don’t think I will be able to show you the same skills I used to.”

“Luca…”

At his words, Mars bowed his head. Luca’s age.

Probably similar to Steven, or even more. I don’t think it’s possible for him to go out and fight on the battlefield again.

This is a rebellion. Even if it were me, I don’t think I would have been able to say I was leaving so easily.

But Luca wasn’t me.

Thud thud.

chuck.

Luca approached Mars and knelt down.

“Ru, Luca?”

“Would you trust me even if I can’t live up to your expectations?”

Mars nodded slowly.

“Of course.”

“I, Luca Monarci. I will do my best to not waste this opportunity the Prince has given me… ”

bang!

“Dad! Send all the kids out the back door like Dad said… ”

“… ?”

A black-haired girl pops out of what appears to be a back door.

‘I never thought I would have a daughter…’

No… considering his age, it’s not that strange.

At first, she looked bewildered when she saw us, but the bright expression she had on when she came in disappeared, and she glared at us with an expression that made it obvious to anyone that she was wary of us. It is understandable that she would be wary.

Unless the general is crazy, who would introduce his daughter to the prince? I think he’s wary because we both don’t know each other. If I explain, things will go well.

“It’s been a while, Tia.”

“Mas… Why did you come here?”

‘?’