Fortunately, my head butler came and shifted our mood.

"Your Highness, it is time."

"I understand."

Suddenly, Fedel stepped aside and two men in their fifties came into view; walking toward us. One was Gideon and the other I assumed to be Sir Rudr.

They bowed upon arrival and Alexander gladly answered.

"You may rise."

They straightened their backs and one of them took a step forward. He was a muscular man with shoulder-length brown hair in a ragged style and brown eyes.

"I greet the future Sun of the Empire. I'm sorry for the late introduction, my name is Rudr Caelum. I'm the 4th Marshal."

Alexander and I leaned our backs lightly in unison. As well as being a Marshal, he was also a Count from the Egon Region.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Rudr."

"I heard about the Princes' glorious story; I'm pleased to hear them. It is such a great relief to me to know that the Empire will be with you. I'd like to escort you back to Aeon Castle, alas, His Majesty stationed me here. I wish you a safe journey, Your Highness."

Rudr bent his back forward once again. Ah, I see. He was here to guard this camp and Gideon would become our escort. Well, at least Dariush made a wise choice.

"Thank you."

With that, we ended our conversation, and just as we were about to get in the carriage, however–

"Your Highness, please wait!!"

All heads turned to the voice. Knights along with the refugees could be seen constantly crowding the square. Not long after, they were lined up neatly and Sir Sigmund moved forth and bowed.

"Your Highness, Prince Alexander and Prince Damian. On behalf of the knights and refugees, I stand here to express our gratitude."

The young man stepped back. He unsheathed his weapon and held it vertically in front of his face. Soon, the knights shadowed his actions.

–Clank!

The rasping blade sounds filled the space when they gave us a sword salute. The knights and refugees shouted in unison.

"We will never forget Your Highness' noble sacrifices!! We wish you a safe journey!!"

We were amazed and eventually, an arc drew on our lips. I never expected such a grand farewell but, somehow it felt warmth in my heart. I wonder why?

Alexander and I bowed simultaneously.

"Thank you."

Soon, we boarded the carriage and Fedel closed the door. I saw how they waved continuously through the windows even after our convoy had moved far away.

I peeked at Alexander stealthily from the corners of my eyes. He did the same action as me; watching the refugees. But, there was something.. odd.

Tranquility framed his face, his smile never left his lips, and his eyes gazed at them gently. He looked overwhelmingly cathartic as if the burden on his shoulders just lifted.

Now that I thought about it, didn't he resemble someone who was trying to suppress his trauma when we got here? And now he—wait. I clutched my head from the sudden headache.

'It.. linked.'

My heart raced and my sweat oozed from my pores.

'He's not–'

"Are you okay?"

I raised my head and Alexander was seen staring at me. I wiped the sweat off my temples.

"Ah, yeah. I'm fine–or not."

I decided to lay on the couch and returned my sight to him, only to find he was eyeing me like I was a strange creature.

"Tell me, Alex, is there really no God here?"

He leaned on the sofa, then folded both his arms and legs.

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

Yet, he just shrugged.

"You know the answer."

"Tsk."

I clucked my tongue in annoyance and turned my head to the ceiling above.

'Again, he answered my question with vague words.'

If there was no God here then who transmigrated me here? What was that being's intention to bring me here?

Also, if my soul was placed in this boy's body, then, where did the original Damian's soul go? It wouldn't suddenly vanish, right?

'See? There are so many things to unravel. Especially the book Alex gave me.'

I read half of it and now, I was wondering, albeit it had controversial content, somehow the book was so convincing and tempting!

'Or, has the author manipulated me through the book? I don't know.'

If the book held the truth, then the Empire must be hiding something.

Honestly, I didn't want to entangle myself with complicated things like these. I just want to live happily with my mother and enjoy the privilege I got as a Prince.

historical

'Right now, there are three missions that I need to complete.'

First, defuse the conflict between the Chrono Kingdom and the Yovanny Kingdom. I thought it was a necessary step because the war would one day get in my way.

'I want to travel the world, remember? If there is a war then it will be very annoying.'

Second, preventing the accident that took my mother's life.

'If I thwarted it, then my mother will stay alive. Gideon, Fedel, and I won't join that dark organization.'

Third, I need to get stronger than Alexander. Although our friendship got better and I didn't become a villain, that didn't eliminate the possibility of him killing me.

'After all, the human heart is mysterious. Maybe he's kind on the surface, but deep within, I don't know.'

And for other problems regarding the novel's plot like hunting that crazy community or society or whatever, I didn't give a fuck. It was Alexander's problem, not mine.

I glanced sideways and Alexander was seen sleeping whilst leaning against the window frame.

'What a rare sight.'

He must have racked his brain and muscle in the past couple of days. I got up and took out a blanket to cover his body.

"Thanks."

I was startled upon hearing his voice. I thought he had fallen asleep! But, whatever.

"Yea."

Getting back to my couch, I gazed at him.

'Alexander Atreilight, he's a strange man. His actions were mysterious and his words were full of secrets.'

I lay down once again and closed my eyes as drowsiness weighed me. Thinking so many thoughts without a doubt exhausted my brain.

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