44-

Your majesty, what are you doing here?"

There were no winds that could blow my cape upwards on the balcony, nor did I have a cigarette that would make it look like I was deep in thought. I only had a gla.s.s of red wine in hand. I took little sips of the red wine and felt it pa.s.s through my mouth, then down into my gut.

Nier stood behind me and looked at me. Maybe she came to look for me since she didn't see me in the large hall.

"Nothing, just… thinking about some stuff."

"Alright."

Nier turned around to leave, but I turned around and called her. She turned around and looked at me blankly. I looked at her with my gla.s.s in my hand and didn't utter a word. Nier didn't move. She just stood in place, silently awaiting my orders. The wandering winds blew onto me and lifted Nier's ponytail up and across her green eyes. Her green eyes were gleaming under the moonlight.

"Nier, has our relationship eased up a little recently…?"

Nier looked at me and calmly replied: "It's the same as always."

I had another sip and then let out a long sigh. After that lecture from the Regent, I came to a realisation. My relationship with Nier hasn't changed her, and we haven't fallen in love with each other after spending time together, but it was because I ordered her to kill like the empress usually does for the first time back at the slums. Nier is most happy when she has her long sword in hand and is completely covered in blood. Nier initially hated my weakness, but that was the first time I ordered somebody to kill.

Nier looked at me and said: "There's nothing we can do about it."

"Nothing we can do about it?"

"Yes."

Nier looked at me and continued: "Her majesty bestowed me with a weapon so that I could kill people. I have the rights to kill, so killing is the same as my life. It's a right. I don't have any feelings about it."

I smiled helplessly. Killing people is a right? In my past, I believed that we can't kill because murder was against the law, and that n.o.body had the right to take the life of another unless the law deemed necessary, which was why I didn't kill. I didn't have the right to kill. But after coming here, I've attained the right to kill as well as a tool to kill. It was like I came to that realisation when we are at the slums and therefore gave the order to kill them all.

It truly was as simple as eating or sleeping, just as if I was born the same way. Murder really is just like a mundane task in a day but most people don't have the right to commit murder. But now I have said right, and I used it. And after I used it, I surprisingly didn't feel anything. I told myself those men deserved to die, and forgot that the person who should've judged them was the law, and not me. I used the power of a prince to kill for the first time.

What's scarier is that I actually felt happy about it.

My hands were clean because Nier was the one who spilled their blood. It's more accurate to say that my relationship with Nier was set straight, rather than having eased up. Nier is a killing machine, and I'm the person that has that killing machine. My past self would've treated such a weapon as decoration or a toy. I would've made Nier lose her life purpose. But when I gave her the order to kill, my relationship with Nier immediately reached its perfect form.

Nier is a weapon and I'm the one who wields that weapon. With the empress behind me, I could open fire wherever I decided and blood would spurt forth like fireworks because that was my right, the right of a prince. All of this belongs to me. The land, the homes and the lives of the people were all mine.

People can't kill people, not because they can't, but because they don't have the right to.

I now have the right. This power is just like the wine in front of me. I wasn't used to it at first, but I'm intoxicated by it now. This world transformed me the moment I gave the order to kill.

I looked at Nier and asked: "Nier, do you know what the consequences for killing someone is?"

Nier casually replied: "There are no consequences."

I pointed at myself and asked: "Then what if I killed you now? What would happen to me?"

"You'd get a bit of a lecture from her majesty for spoiling the mood."

Nier wasn't scared. She just stood there leisurely. If I were to drop my gla.s.s and tell Nier to kill herself right now, Nier would actually use a shard of my gla.s.s and slit her throat with it. That, is power. It's what I now have. I can kill whenever I want. I can force other countries to sign agreements unfair to them. I could even pick a random woman and throw her onto my bed if I chose to. Not only would they not resist, they'd even feel happy and proud about it.

That's the right and power of a prince. I can overrule the law. I can overrule everything. I now finally understand why people enjoy a carefree and happy life at the risk of destroying their country. It's like how people smoke despite knowing the harm it brings. Power and wine, intoxicate people and get them hooked the same way tobacco does. You can't quit once you experience it.

I'm glad I've come to understand this. Otherwise, I'll end up using this d.a.m.n excuse to numb myself each time and get Nier to kill. Nier would be very happy that way, and there will finally come a day where I drink a gla.s.s of wine mixed with blood. No, it'll be worse. The empress wouldn't restrain me and I'd become a tyrant. I'd even pursue power here and forget all about the elves.

I don't know how many gla.s.ses of wine I had, but my mind was still blank, or rather I've just come to my senses. I only felt giddy about ordering Nier to kill and stamping the agreement with the seal because I was drunk.

I turned around, looked at the bright-light city and gently called: "Nier…"

Nier, from behind asked: "What is it?"

"I think I was wrong… Maybe I was too weak in the past."

"It's not too late to realise it now."

I clenched my teeth and smiled weakly. My power has become like a plug-in over here. Isn't it always the case that dimensional travellers have some sort of cheat skill? My ident.i.ty after my dimensional travel must be my cheat skill, which has allowed me to enjoy all of this, as well as my right and power to carry out acts of brutality. I can't let go of these things. I can only accept this power.

But that's not a problem. Power is a good thing. It's just that it needs to be caged. It's good that I understand that now. I know that I have the power and right to kill people, but I won't kill people on a whim. I know I have the right and power to kill, so I won't stop Nier from drawing her sword when I'm in a pinch from now.

My moral standards from before aren't my bottom line, but merely an att.i.tude for carrying out tasks. My previous morals were handcuffs on me, but it's now my scabbard. I'll use my morals to decide whether or not I should kill, but I won't let it hinder my decisions.

"I'll order you to kill a lot more from now."

"Understood."

Nier went back. When she returned, she brought with her a bottle of wine and a gla.s.s. She poured herself a full gla.s.s and then stood to my side. She knocked the gla.s.s of red wine back like it was water expressionlessly.

Nier is not a good drinking companion. She didn't utter a word and her expression never changed regardless of how much she drank, as though she was a block of ice. Regardless of how much she drank, she was still cold deep down. You can't enjoy a drink with her as your companion.

But she puts me at ease.

What I didn't know was that Nier was thinking about a lot of things just as I was that night.My head was hurting like crazy when I woke up the next day. It was probably a hang-over. I rolled over.

Luna hasn't called me up yet today. Well, don't wake me up then. I feel like c.r.a.p today. I just want to lie in bed all day.

Everything has been solved. This is all I can do with humanity. I'm not feeling too good, but the matter with Castor is over. My relationship with Nier is doomed to remain tense, so that means everything to do with me and humanity is done and dusted.

I'll just kick back and relax now. Oh, wait, I can still go hang out at the red-haired lady's place and play with the kids too. But with the safety conditions there, I wonder if the kids can still run around like before.

Luna came in with a basin of water, looked at me with a smile and said: "Good morning, your majesty. You do not look too well. You probably had too much to drink yesterday."

I rubbed my throbbing head and in a weak voice said: "Yeah. I've got a headache…"

"Please take a bite of this fruit. It's similar to mangosteen, but doesn't have a sh.e.l.l. It's more like apple skin and feels like an apple to the touch too."

Luna had a naughty smile on her face, so I realised there was probably something off about it…. I took a sniff. There were no problems. It had the faint aroma of fruit. There shouldn't be anything wrong with this fruit which is like an apple, right?

I forgot an important fact. Even apples can be sour. I could imagine how contorted my scrunched up face looked after I bit down into it. It was so sour my tears were coming out. I'd c.r.a.p my pants laughing if I could see my face right now.

"Pfft…"

Luna who stood to a side pursed her lips tightly and avoided looking at me. I know she wanted to laugh but didn't dare to. I sat up quickly and spat it out, picked up a cup of water and drank a few mouthfuls to erase the sour taste. I gasped for air and angrily looked at Luna. Luna was fighting for dear life to keep her lips pursed, while her body was shivering from holding in her laughter. I sighed and said: "Fine, go ahead and laugh."

"Pfft… Your… Your… Majesty! Hahahaha… S-… Sorry… Hahaha!!"

Luna burst out into laughter. She was holding her stomach with her hand and wiping her tears with the other. She took two steps back and continued laughing. I smiled to myself helplessly when I saw her bright smile. My most proud accomplishment here is saving Luna. Luna now had red cheeks and she could finally laugh without worry.

I can light up her world regardless of how dark her past was.

It's easy to rob someone of their happiness. But trying to give someone happiness is overwhelmingly difficult.

Luna finally finished laughing. She wiped her tears, pat her face, then politely smiled at me again and asked: "I… I am sorry… Your Majesty… Haha… Hmm. But do you feel a bit better now?"

You don't say. It really works. My mind was now blank. My headache and lethargy went away in an instant. I've never felt so awake before. It looks like I need to prepare this stuff often in future. One bite, and your hangover is gone. But to be fair, you can only handle one bite. I guiltily looked at Luna who brought me a plate of the fruit. Are you positive it's for curing my hangover and not killing me?

"Ah… Good morning, your majesty."

As I was doing up the b.u.t.tons on my shirt, Nier came in looking a bit out of it. Her voice was evidently weak. I looked at her and recalled that the two of us finished four or five bottles of red wine last night and then sat on our a.s.ses on the balcony. I don't have a clue how I got back. Nier must be feeling sick too…

Wait a second!

I adjusted the expression on the lower part of my face, looked at Nier and asked: "Nier, you don't look too good. Do you have a hangover?"

"It was my mistake for not controlling myself last night."

Nier lowered her head to apologise, then raised her head and said: "However, it won't affect my swordsmanship. Please don't worry, your majesty."

"But it's not a good idea for you to go out when you're not feeling well, is it? And further, it was I who told you to drink last night. This fruit can cure hangovers, I personally tried it myself."

I don't think humans know about the fruit elves use to cure hangovers, do they…? I picked up a purple fruit and handed it to Nier. I could force Nier to eat it, but that'd be boring. I wanted to see Nier's look when she scrunches up her face. I guess this can be considered a prank.

But it really does cure hangovers, so I guess not?

Nier accepted the fruit, then bowed and said: "Thank you, your majesty. I won't stand on ceremony then… Ka-chik."

I noticed the slow but evident change in Nier's expression after she took a bite. Her hand that was holding the fruit squeezed it as if she were trying to crush it to pieces. Her body shivered. Even her sword on her waist shook. Just as I was about to laugh, a tear fell down her face due to the sourness, but she wore no expression as always.

Nier's tears ran down her face even though she was expressionless as she chewed that fruit which would bring people to their knees and then swallowed it.

I was stunned as I watched her take a second bite, and then a third bite, until she ate the entire thing.

Nier's tears continued running down her face but she didn't utter a word. That sourness must've killed her. Surely. I know because I couldn't stand it after one bite, while Nier ate the whole thing. I initially planned to laugh after she got caught by surprise and spat it out, but I can't laugh now.

Even Luna looked at her completely dumbfounded.

Nier licked the juice of the fruit off her hand, then raised her head and took a deep breath. She suppressed her quivering and struggled to say in a calm tone: "Thank you, your majesty. I feel much better now. So what are the plans for today?"

"What plan?! You must feel sick!! Luna! Bring water here!!"

"Ah! Right away!!"

I clumsily took the cup of water handed to me and shoved it into Nier's hands. Nier looked at the cup, gave it back to me and then said: "This is your cup, your majesty."

I shoved the cup back into Nier's hands before providing an explanation. I then looked at her diffidently and said: "Who cares whose cup it is right now?! Wasn't it sour to you?! You can just spit it out if it's sour! There's no need to make yourself suffer!!"

It was awkward, like when you crack a joke not knowing that you hurt the person in question.

Nier raised her head but didn't touch the cup. She instead raised the cup up high and poured it into her mouth. She placed the cup down, wiped the corner of her mouth and tears. She then looked at me and said: "That's because you gave it to me, your majesty. I'd finish it even if it was poison."

I'm speechless.

That's just how Nier is. She's her majesty's Valkyrie and my bodyguard. We're not friends. When I said "joke", I was referring to your circle of friends. Nier takes everything I say seriously which means I can't crack jokes with her.

"Let's go. We need to go to the industrial street today."

"Understood."

I don't know if Nier's hangover is gone or not, but she looks a lot better now. I sighed to myself. I felt slightly bad for Nier, but there was nothing I could do.

After looking at Nier for a while, I let out a heavy sigh, put on my coat and left. It's bound to be a peaceful day today, but the start to the day has left me somewhat bitter.What's the situation on the Black Streets been like lately?"

"There's a huge debt owed to me, and I can't get it back, but we still need to buy all the firearms. I'm stuck with this batch of goods! n.o.body buys the swords, armours, and saddles we make either. We've had to lower the price of military equipment down so low we're just breaking even."

"Couldn't they be sold to other countries previously?"

"Soldiers from the army are patrolling the Black Streets all the time now. They've arrested a fair number of people. We've had to stop selling to avoid the heat!"

"Soldiers? Isn't Kurt responsible for the soldiers? Can't you talk to him about it?"

"It was the prince's order! The prince personally pa.s.sed down the order! And the prince goes to the Black Streets every day. We don't have a spare moment to catch our breath!"

"Where'd this prince come from…? How come I've never seen him before?"

"I'm not sure. The prince brought Castor down in one stroke. The empress really dotes on him too. We can't touch him. And we can't a.s.sa.s.sinate him even if we want to because his bodyguard is the Valkyries' sword instructor. Even if we were to hire a.s.sa.s.sins, we'd probably need at least two hundred of them."

"Yeah, if we anger the empress… We're all dead meat… Why do we need to kill the prince?! Why not just bribe him? If we can bring him to our side then the problem is solved."

"You think we can bribe the prince with the amount of wealth that we have? The prince's wallet is the empire's national treasury! What's more is that the prince has nothing he particularly likes. He doesn't like women, he doesn't like money. He just likes going to the Black Streets every day. What would we gift him?"

"Just kill him then. How about bribing a servant close to him to poison him?"

"That's impossible. His close servant is an elf he saved. There's no way she'd help us. The prince is a half-blood. He's half-elven. It's said that the war ten years ago started and ended because of him."

"Cough. Cough."

The fire inside the secret room swayed. Near a dozen people wearing black cloaks were debating at a huge stone table, which was situated in the middle of the secret room. The room built from bluestone bricks was covered with moss and lichens. The figure of a fat person cut everybody's conversation off and got them to end their debate. They all turned to look at the fat figure. He extended his hand out and placed it on the table. His fingers which were like lotus roots projected a shadow which covered the jewellery and gold on the table.

"The prince's existence is bad news for all of us. When he brought down Castor, the prices of Castor's goods all dropped. We merchants who've had a monopoly on these goods can't continue maintain the prices. However, he's still a valuable a.s.set. As long as he lives, we can use him to instigate another large scale war. Aren't you all worried about overstocking weapons?"

"Only the elves could put up a fight against the empire if it were such a large scale war. Further, the elves have maintained a friendly relationship with humans for ten years already."

The fatso snickered and said: "There's no friendly relationship between the two countries. Does the empress truly like the elves? She just doesn't have a choice. Just as you mentioned, the prince is a half-blood. He only comes every second month, so where is he the other month? Of course he's with the elves. Her majesty treats his majesty as her greatest treasure. If the war back then was started because of his majesty, then there's no reason a second one can't be instigated with him as the catalyst. If the prince dies while he's with the elves, then not only is it unrelated to us, the empress will even attack the elves out of despair. She'll even personally take to the frontlines. If that happens, is there a need for us to be worried about excessive inventory? When that happens, we'll return to the golden era when her majesty was conquering the lands."

"But, how do we get the prince killed when he's with the elves?"

"We have friends among the elves."

He pulled his chair out, stood up and then said: "I'll go make the arrangements. You people behave. Be patient for now and don't do anything illegal. It might be tough to sell your goods, but it's not affecting your livelihood, is it? Don't reveal our plans beforehand. Leave the prince alone, got it?"

"Understood."

"Alright, then let's leave."

I stepped over a puddle of dirty water and headed to the red-haired lady's workshop with Nier. The candy pouch Nier had on her belt had been refilled. The candy stand man had already died so I had to make a long trip to buy the candy. Nier's expression was a lot more relaxed now. The sweetness of the candy must've suppressed that sour taste that'd leave people drowning in despair.

"Big sis! Big bro!!"

When we got to the front of the workshop, the children gleefully gathered around us. Nier leaned over with a smile as she scrubbed their heads, and then asked: "There's no one missing today, right?"

"No! The soldiers have protected us day and night!"

One of the boys looked at Nier, excitedly raised his hand with a wooden sword in it and said: "The soldiers are so cool. I want to become a famous soldier in the future too! I want to be cooler than you, big sis!"

I laughed and looked at Nier. Nier gently looked at him and scrubbed his head with a smile. She then said: "Make sure to work hard then. You need to be brave, loyal and strong to be a soldier."

"Uhm! I'll give it my all! Ali got taken into the palace. I want to enter the palace and become a guard too!" He waved his wooden sword around with style and looked like he knew what he was doing. I couldn't believe he'd picked up some sword skills. His hand movements showed that he knew what he was doing. The children who stood on the side were wowed and clapped.

Nier smiled and clapped as well. Yeah, that kid was more skilled with a sword than I was.

He proudly put his sword away, then looked at me and asked with admiration: "Big bro!! Big bro!! Do you know swordsmanship?"

I rubbed my nose since I felt awkward. I then said: "I don't. I'd carry a sword with me if I could… But I can't use a sword at all…"

"What can you do then, big bro?"

The kids looked at me with a hint of disappointment. Their looks of disappointment made me feel worse than the looks of contempt Nier gave me… Why are you all so disappointed? I don't know swordsmanship. They don't teach it in the military. Why did I feel guilty like I committed some sort of mistake? I rubbed my nose and awkwardly said: "I… I know military boxing and military wrestling…"

"Spar with big sis then! Come on! Come on! Big sis!"

They pulled Nier up and she looked at me with a serious look.

Hey, hey, hey!! You're my bodyguard!! Why did you let the children goad you into fighting me?! I did say I know military boxing and wrestling but I treat it like radio calisthenics! You want me to use radio calisthenics to fight with someone who kills people?!

Nier placed her sword down and looked at me with clenched fists. I helplessly smiled. The guard stance for military boxing and wrestling is…

Uhm. What I saw the next moment were the buildings and sky above me…

Nier didn't use force. She completely guarded against my attack. Her fist beautifully caught me in my gut, and when I leaned over, I got struck with an uppercut, which knocked my torso upright and me onto the ground…

"Please forgive me, your majesty!!"

Nier quickly went down on one knee before me… Shouldn't you be helping me up and not kneeling right now…?

I shook my head the way you would after getting stunned by a shot to the head. Nier didn't use force. I used the wall as support to stand up, then looked at Nier, waved my hand and said: "It's fine. Rise. Did you see that… Eh?"

I saw the children look at me with their terrified eyes. They were so scared they didn't dare to move. What's the matter? Didn't I just lose…? Did I happen to unleash some wicked punch or something?!

"Y-Y-You're… Your majesty…"

The eldest kid quickly knelt down, prostrated himself on the ground and shouted aloud: "I am very sorry, your majesty!!"

The other children quickly followed suit.

"Huh? Oh right…"

I finally understood why they were scared. I helplessly smiled, crouched down and helped the kid at the forefront up, and said: "Relax, relax. Just act like you always do. I'm really happy when I'm around you all. You don't have to act like that because of my ident.i.ty. You haven't done anything wrong either, so relax."

Still quivering, he raised his head and asked me with disbelief: "Ar-Are you sure…? We… Can play with you, your majesty?"

"Yeah. Haven't we been playing together for a long time already?"

I smiled and scrubbed his head. I then stood up and they did too. They looked at me with fear. I extended my hand out and Nier was unsure what was going on. I looked and Nier and said: "Candy…"

"Ah…"

Nier handed me the small pouch. I held the candy and teased them for a bit. I leaned over with a smile and said: "Your's. Enjoy. Enjoy it…"

"You guys ate my bread to, so we're friends from now. Don't worry about a thing."

I gave them all a candy-ball and then returned the pouch to Nier. The children finally eased up and revealed their smiles when they saw the candy. Kids are easy to cheer up. If Nier was like them, then our relationship would probably be really good by now.

"Nier, I'm heading in first."

Nier nodded and replied: "Understood."

I turned around, brushed the dirt off myself, then knocked on the door and entered the workshop.

GlossaryYou look a bit down today, prince, did someone try to kill you on the way here? Don't come here if that's the case. What would I do if you ruined my place?"

"No, I was just playing with the children for a bit. But what you said hurt me. I thought we were friends, but you're more concerned about your shop than me."

"Hahahahaha!"

The red-haired lady laughed in a heroic tone. She picked up the alcohol bottle by the side and gulped a few mouthfuls. She then wiped her mouth and said: "Yeah, that's right. I'm quite proud to have become friends with you too, your majesty. But you have to consider it from my perspective, because I built this workshop piece by piece. Everything in here was created by me. Everything in here has me to thank, not you or the empress. I can help you out of friendship, but that doesn't mean that I have to sacrifice everything for you."

"You're right. You're right."

I impatiently waved my hand and then sat down, and said: "You smoked again, didn't you? Didn't I tell you there was gun powder over here? If you don't want to get burnt up with your workshop, go smoke outside or make another room."

"Prince, you're even fussier than my mom. If I had to go outside every time I wanted to smoke, I must as well live outside. And where would I find the money to make another room? It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I won't ignite the gunpowder, don't worry. Oh, right. I've finished the gun you asked for. Here."

She bent down and grabbed a gun leaning on the wall, handed it to me, and then picked up her pipe. I ran my hand over the gun. The gun was really heavy, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Plastic doesn't exist in this world. To be able to make this gun is a pretty decent accomplishment. Lucia can control wind which is why I didn't design for there to be an air pump. However, I've already managed to give it the ability to fire consecutively. As long as one can create an air pump, they'll be able to fire steel b.a.l.l.s like a machine gun.

The gun had rifling done too. If it were to fire steel b.a.l.l.s… It's probably not the best idea to tune it so that it can put holes in peoples' bodies. There are no wars here, so a bit of brutality probably isn't going to matter. I pushed the door open and looked at the height of the building. I then asked: "Can I make a rather ridiculous request? Umm, can you make a chimney higher than this?"

She took a puff from her pipe, then looked at me dumbfounded and said: "If I had the money to make a pillar that high, wouldn't I have enough to make another room? You sure know how to crack jokes, your majesty. If you want to get it done, then you'll need to use your wealth and power as royalty to find a place to get it built. But do you mind me asking what you're trying to do?"

"I want to make lead bullets. If lead comes down from that height, its liquid form will automatically become spherical in shape, however… Since you can't make it, I'll just have to trouble you with making lead bullets then. As for the dimensions, can you make them the same as these steel b.a.l.l.s?"

"Okay, okay, okay. But I don't think I can make many. It would've been great if I had access to such a convenient method like the one you described, because my handiwork rate is very slow. And prince, a full moon is approaching. As a half-blood, don't cause some big incident while you're here with humans."

"I know. I won't cause trouble… Oh, yeah, when will there be a full moon?"

"The moon will be full tomorrow night. The elves will have another sleepless night again. Are you ready for it, your majesty? Oh, yeah, I'm a bit curious about how you react on a full moon night, your majesty. The libido of elves tends to rise to incredible levels on that day. You better not lay your hands on some maid and have an illegitimate child or else it'll become a huge issue."

I smiled weakly. As if I have those sorts of thoughts at a time like that. I mean, there's not a single spot on my body that doesn't hurt when it kicks in. It feels like somebody is ripping my bones out of my body. But I have witnessed the part about elves having elevated libido levels during full moons… If mom had lost her mind, I probably would've been done in already.

I couldn't see Lucia that time. What would Lucia be doing in a corner where I can't see her…?

No! I shouldn't think about that. All I'm thinking about are eroge* plots. I returned the rifle to its place. I don't want to walk around with a long gun on me. This sort of stuff should be kept secret. I can't let people see it. I'll wrap it up properly and take it with me when I leave. I stood up and said: "I'll be off then. Thank you, big sis."

"Huh? Are you leaving already? Aren't you going to leave me with anything today?"

Are you hoping to pry my brain again? Sorry, but I'm not an encyclopedia… I can't just draw blueprints at the drop of a hat for you. The number of blueprints I can remember are limited too. If I show you anymore, I'll have to show you a.s.sault rifles. I smiled weakly and said: "I don't have an infinite number of ideas to share either. This should be plenty, right…? And if it were up to me, I'd suggest researching bullets instead of rifles."

"Yes, yes. What you say makes sense, your majesty. I won't see you out, bye your majesty. I hope you have a beautiful night, especially tomorrow night."

What a thoughtful wish… I still don't even know if I'll make it through tomorrow night in one piece. I sighed. n.o.body here can help me suck my mana out, and neither can I use magic. I'll probably die from the pain. It's such a nuisance without my elf-mom by my side.

I saw Nier holding a small wooden sword as she taught the young boy swordsmanship as soon as I exited the workshop. Nier held the small wooden sword with one hand and took a firm stance. The young boy tried his best to hit Nier, but Nier easily deflected all his attacks. In fact, she didn't even move her feet.

"Your majesty!"

"You're open!"

When Nier turned around, the young boy shouted and swung at Nier who wasn't looking. Nier easily deflected his attack without even looking, and simultaneously attacked his wrist, thus disarming him.

"You're so good, big sis! You're so good! You're stronger than the prince!!"

The children surrounded Nier and were evidently surprised, and complimented her using words that hurt me. Nier smiled and crouched down. She stroked the kid's head and the said: "Not bad. You have the basics of swordsmanship. Does someone at home practice swordsmanship?"

"Yeah!" The young boy nodded resolutely and then happily said: "My older brother learns swordsmanship! He's going to challenge the people in the palace next. I heard that you could be conferred a position of an official if you can defeat someone there! I'll definitely go there once I've mastered the sword too!"

"No!! You are not to go!!"

Nier's sudden angry shout scared me. I looked at Nier surprised. Even the kids got scared as they looked at Nier fearfully. The boy retreated two steps out of fear and looked at Nier while trembling. Nier was aware that she shouted at him and went silent for a moment. She then softly said: "Sorry… I shouldn't have shouted at you… It's just… it's just… Don't ever… Don't ever take part in that challenge… It's impossible to succeed. It's impossible…"

"Big sis…"

As soon as he called her, Nier quickly pulled him into her embrace.

"Promise me. Promise me that you'll never partic.i.p.ate in that challenge. Don't ever go there, even if you starve to death…" Nier paused. She looked ahead of her in a daze lost for words. She's a Valkyrie. Everything she had, from food, water and living was provided by the empress. She doesn't have a salary. She's a poor child, but can she save these kids from starvation?

The boy leaned on Nier's shoulder and stared at me.

I smiled helplessly and walked over. I touched him on his head lightly and softly said: "Listen to big sis. If your family is struggling, come to the palace gate and hand this handkerchief to the guards, and then report to me. If I'm not there, just hand this handkerchief to the guards and let them know that I told you to come and grab some food. Trust me, you can exchange this handkerchief for white bread."

I pulled my personal handkerchief out and handed it to him. I then looked at all the children and said: "You're all my friends. Whenever you run into trouble, just come to the palace. But remember; always hold the belief that the world is benevolent, regardless of how sad you may feel. Don't forget your dignity and kindness even if you starve."

The children looked at me. They looked at each other at a loss for what to say or do, and then nodded.

I rarely saw those children afterwards, and even forgot how they looked. Maybe they became one of the men by my side. Maybe they became a blacksmith that made one of the weapons I wielded. Maybe they became scholars, or maybe they were still struggling to get by. Whatever the case, I believe that they were all kind.

GlossaryAfter I just finished lunch at noon and didn't know where to go, mom came to the outer court and sent everybody else away. She held my hands and was clearly concerned when she said: "Son, the moon will be full tonight."

I smiled and said: "It's alright, mom. I'll hang in there."

"I don't want to let you fight it… Son, I don't want to see you in pain… It…really hurts. I know you don't want to destroy this place, but… I don't want to see you tie yourself up either…"

"It's alright, mom, it's alright."

I know how I handled it last time now. That's cruel. I tied myself up to my bed. I was in so much pain I was ready to die yet couldn't move. I could only quietly lie on the bed and wait for the moon to go down. I admire my original self. What a true man. I wanted to smash my head and be done with it after just a few minutes, yet he was able to hold out until sunrise.

Mom pulled me into her embrace and my head was entrapped between her soft valleys again. Mom lightly pat me on my back and in a sobbing tone said: "Son, I can't hide it from you anymore. You're innocent. You should've been a happy boy. This is all my fault. I was too stubborn and weak at the time. Son, after tonight, I'll tell you what happened in the past." The empress gently cupped my face and kissed me on my forehead. She then stood up and walked out looking quite tired.

Can't you tell me now?!

Luna came in after the empress left. It looked like something was wrong. She looked at me and moved her lips. Her eyes shifted swiftly. I was silently eating some sweets the empress brought with her. These sweets are really good. I didn't notice Luna's abnormality, but I soon will be abnormal….

"Luna… Bring water…"

The sweets were nice but they were really dry… It took a moment before Luna reacted and brought me a cup of water, I chugged the water, then frowned and asked: "Luna, is something troubling you?"

"Ah… Yes… Sorry, your majesty."

Luna looked at me and hesitated for a moment before saying: "Your majesty, I want to know what exactly will happen with you on a full moon night. Why do you tie yourself up…? Sorry… Sorry, your majesty. I… I did not mean to eavesdrop… Sorry!"

I waved my hand, looked at Luna and said: "It's fine… It's nothing important… It's just… Yeah… Well, basically, my mana goes berserk… I think that's what it's called."

"Your mana goes berserk?!" Luna was surprised. She then pressed her hands to her chest and said: "That… That… That is an incurable disease for elves… Because if their mana goes berserk… They cannot come into contact with elven water… It is fine for them to drink it, but when they wash, they would turn into stone, right…?"

I smiled helplessly and replied: "Yeah… Why's that?"

"It is because your mana is disordered at its most basic form… And you should also be aware that mana concentration levels will go from low to high. The water in the elven territory is granted by the G.o.ds. It is the place with the purest mana. The flow of mana flows through a normal elf's body, allowing them to control it, and not be affected by the mana in the water. However, your mana is disordered and cannot be controlled. This causes the mana in the water to try and suck it out. The body of elves also require a supply of mana. A body without mana is the same as a body without blood. You could essentially say that you are dead when you are in water."

Oh, she must mean becoming a vegetable I imagine… I know what that feels like because I've experienced it more than once. That means that I'm fine with being in water here not because I've got something applied on my body, but because the water doesn't contain mana.

Luna looked at me and said: "Mana going berserk is a very rare condition for elves… No… I should say that the cause is simple to identify, but it is rare to chance upon…"

"Incest?"

I remember my elf mom married her older brother and gave birth to me. That older brother that should be sent to seen an orthopaedic in Germany and my elf-mom with a severe bro-con tendency got married and gave birth to me afterwards. It sounds like not only are children born through incestuous relationships p.r.o.ne to genetic diseases a fact that holds true for humans, but also applicable for elves.

"No…"

Luna shook her head, then looked at me and said with disbelief: "It is due to transfusing a large volume of blood… And it would have to be a case where more than half of a person's blood is transfused. The person's original blood and the blood that carries mana come into conflict with each other which leads to mana going berserk… In other words…, you once had a large volume blood transfusion… There are no kids that are born with the condition where their mana goes berserk. Normally, an elf who loses half his blood would already be dead… So, it is basically impossible to have that condition… The only time and examples where that happened were back in the days in cruel black magic experiments…"

I was stunned. No way. I remember mom told me that my mana going berserk was a condition I had since I was a child. Did I get a blood transfusion as a kid? Who did I get a blood transfusion with? And elves can transfuse half a person's blood at once?

"Are you positive?"

I looked at Luna. I didn't completely buy her story. It's not that I don't believe Luna, but I'm seemingly an exception to the rule so…

"I… I do not know too much… Because…blood transfusions and the such…are only done by dark elves… For us…it is a taboo…"

Luna looked at me while trembling and begged: "Your majesty, I beg you, please do not make me mention black magic… Mentioning black magic is blasphemy…"

"Don't you feel that my existence is blasphemy then?"

"You are half-blooded… Perhaps that is why your mana goes berserk…"

What Luna mentioned and my current situation is completely different. She said the elven prince must be a pure-blood, while I'm a half-blood. Mana going berserk is a condition that derives from blood transfusions. It can't possibly be innate, while I was born with the condition. This completely contradicts Luna's knowledge. I don't think Luna would lie to me because ignorance and lying are different. Luna shared with me what she knew, but it looks like our knowledge conflicts with each other.

Luna looked at me and asked again: "So, your majesty, what happens to you on full moon nights?"

I smiled meekly, touched my head and said: "I don't really know how to describe it. My whole body hurts on full moon nights… And I get really irritable like I'm going to explode."

Luna nodded, then nervously looked at me and said: "That is mana going out of control… Your mana is disordered which must be why it goes out of control on full moon nights. If it is not treated, it will cause your body to explode… However, your mana is not as concentrated as royalty…"

"I told you I'm the elf prince…" I maintained my meek smile and continued: "How do you know so much, Luna…?"

"I… I have already been sacrificed to the shrine… I would not have been captured here had it not been for the war fifteen years ago…"

Luna sighed, then looked at me and said: "Your majesty, if you do not mind, I will help you suck your mana out tonight. That will ease your pain a bit."

"No! No! No!!"

I remember how mom did it last month and resolutely rejected her.

"No… I did not mean that I wanted to have intercourse with you, your majesty… But if you do not release it, your mana really will go berserk. You could potentially destroy the imperial capital if your mana goes out of control and you release it."

Luna waved her hand, lowered her head and softly said: "I know my place… I know what I have been through… I know… I know it all… Your majesty, please believe me! I do not have any ulterior motives. I merely… I merely do not wish for you to suffer… That is all."

Luna's body shivered a little. She lowered her head and I couldn't see her face, but I could tell from her tone that she was sobbing.

"Only her highness could suck away that berserk portion of your mana. I have tried before. Just licking your lips will hurt as if my organs were being torn apart. I remember I was in so much pain I pa.s.sed out that night."

Not even Lucia was able to handle the berserk portion of my mana. How much pain would Luna be in if she were to suck it out. I wouldn't reject her if she could suck it out without having to deal with any consequences. But just licking will put her in so much pain she'd pa.s.s out. I'm afraid Luna would die if she sucks it all out.

"It's fine, Luna. Just tie me up tonight. It'd be nice if there was a drug that could knock me out. I don't think you can handle my berserk mana, so don't worry about it. I can get through it this time if I got through it last time."

I smiled, extended my hand out and scrubbed her head. I then stood up and looked at the flower garden outside the window. I chuckled softly and said: "I have to return to the elves soon. You should pack. I'll take you home. Your home is with the elves. I have a responsibility to send you home."

"..."

A gentle voice responded to me from behind. A pair of arms gently wrapped themselves around my waist. I stood still in place. The warm touch on my back was lightly moist. From behind and while choking on her tears, Luna softly said: "Thank you… Your majesty… Sorry… Your majesty…"What timing. My body started hurting right after dinner when the sun just went down. I deliberately drank lots of alcohol at dinner to try and get myself drunk so as to relieve myself of some of the pain. But in the end, it was like all the alcohol vanished into a void and I was awake as if I was on stimulants.

Far out. Have I no choice but to put up with the pain?

I struggled to crawl into bed. Nier walked up to me with a rope and looked at me, then bowed and said: "Sorry, your majesty."

"Hurry."

I clenched my teeth and with my last ounce of sanity, stopped myself from getting up. I was feeling extremely irritated. I wanted to destroy everything around me, and kill every living thing around me. I think I'll have a mental breakdown if I don't tie myself up.

Nier tied me up tightly to the bed. My arms, legs and even neck were tied up. If I tried to lift my head up, I'd end up strangling myself. Nier is great at tying people up. After a few circles and knots, I could only move my head. Nier noticed I had a bunch of cloth in my hand. She hesitated for a moment before exiting.

The pain slowly began to spread throughout my body. The pain inside me which felt like it was going to explode and find a way to escape outside ravaged my insides. I wanted to be strong and not cry out, but after just five minutes, I couldn't put up with it. I roared loudly and struggled with all my might to move my immobilised body. I knew that crying out was futile, but the energy I released through my cries relieved me of the pain somewhat.

I never thought I could cry and shout like this. As a matter of fact, I never thought a human being could cry out in such a way that all one's hairs would stand up. It was so embarra.s.sing for a guy to cry out like that. However, that was the only thing which could slightly relieve me of the pain.

My mind broke under the pain a lot quicker than I estimated. It was about an hour in, when a ray of light from the moon shone in under the hem of the curtain that I lost my conscious.

Everything I could feel afterwards was gloomy. The pain from my body vanished and turned into rage. I wanted to get up and destroy the world. I wanted to kill everyone. I wanted to destroy everything. None of this was meant to exist. Everything I don't want should be destroyed, and all those who disobey me should be turned to ash.

However, the rope tied around my neck stopped my movements. I desperately tried to raise my head but the rope choked my neck which caused me to instinctively lie back down. I bled due to the friction of my body rubbing against the rope. The scent of blood further fuelled my madness. I could no longer tell if the groans I was making were that of a human or a wild beast.

Kill me! Kill me! Kill me! Kill me!!

This hurts… This hurts like h.e.l.l… It hurts like h.e.l.l… All the veins in my body expanded. My eyeb.a.l.l.s were ready to pop out of my head. My nose was bleeding and my mouth was filled with the taste of blood. It seemed like my teeth themselves were bleeding. I desperately cried and wanted to escape the restriction of the rope. I wanted to kill. I wanted to rip everybody before me apart. I wanted to bath myself in blood. I wanted a world where only I existed!!!

"AAAAHHH!!!!"

The empress knelt before the door and pressed herself against it firmly. Her tears were running down her taut face. She grabbed the exquisite wooden door with her fingers so tightly she could've left marks on them. She bit down on her lips and the blood from her lips mixed with her tears coming from her eyes, and ran down onto her military clothing.

Nier stood at the end of the corridor with her hand firmly on her sword handle. The Valkyries had the outer court surrounded and everybody was forbidden from approaching it. Valkyries were patrolling every floor and all the servants were locked underground.

Alice gently rubbed the empress's back and softly said: "Your majesty…"

"I… I… This hurts me so much…"

The empress was sitting on the floor. She grabbed her chest tightly with her right hand and pulled off the golden b.u.t.tons on her clothing, and clenched them in her hand. Tears from her eyes didn't cease for a moment. The empress who had lost her majestic and domineering aura a good while ago was in despair and pain, just like a girl who'd lost her beloved husband.

Alice quietly watched her empress, who was fearless before an army five times larger than her own was now at the door like a child.

"Your majesty, please pull yourself together…"

"Pull myself together… Pull myself together?! My son is suffering! My son is suffering because of my mistake! This… This… This pains me… If I could go back… I'd be willing to die in that forest if it meant I could keep my son company! He's my only child!! He's my only child!!"

She viciously grabbed Alice and tossed her aside. The empress looked to the heavens and shouted before lifelessly knelt on the ground. Nier had her back to them and didn't turn around.

Alice stood up and wiped the blood off the corner of her mouth. She then silently knelt down and said: "Your majesty, if you become a mother, you will no longer be an empress."

"You think I want to be an empress?! I don't care if the previous emperor or my brother wants to take the crown, they can have my position! I don't care even if the empire only stands on one city. The whole empire and the whole mainland mean can't compare to my son! I just want to live with my son. I don't care if that means that I have to be a commoner, or a wanderer! I'm happy as long as my son is safe! I'm willing to do anything as long as my son is happy! What's the purpose of having everything that I currently have?! My son has to live in a canyon with those dirty and disgusting elves! He has to live with that b.i.t.c.h who not only stole my husband but even my son in order to live!!!"

The empress then stood up, flapped her sleeves, drew her sword and stabbed it into a wall by her side. The stone structure was but like cotton before the empress's rage. The empress's hair came undone and covered her violent eyes. She huffed and puffed, and then thundered: "I! I shouldn't have retreated ten years ago! I should've captured that b.i.t.c.h! I should've slaughtered all the elves! Why… Why did I leave?! I shouldn't have returned eighteen years ago! I shouldn't have run away twenty years ago!! I… My son wouldn't have to suffer like this if I wasn't so stubborn… AAAAHHH!!!"

The empress angrily pulled her hair aside and bashed her head on the wall. Nier quickly turned around and tried to hold her back. But then she dexterously and skilfully stopped herself, turned around, drew her sword and shouted: "Enemy attack!"

The next second later, the reflection of a familiar face was seen on her blade. The empress stood up and looked at Luna, while Luna looked back at them silently.

The empress waved her hand and irritably said: "Get lost. I won't repeat myself a second time. Now, get lost."

"Your majesty! I…"

"I?!"*

Nier's sword nipped Luna but despite her bleeding from it, she didn't back down. Instead she looked at the empress's back and shouted: "Your humble servant… Your humble servant can help his majesty!"

"An elf like you has no business here!"

"It is precisely because your humble servant is an elf that your humble servant can help his majesty! His majesty will be alright if the berserk portion of his mana can be sucked out! Your humble servant can do that!!"

Luna pressed the sword pointed at her down and rushed over towards the empress as she shouted: "Your majesty! Your majesty, you should know that! Your majesty! His majesty will be fine if his mana can be sucked out! I can do it! I beg you! Please let me help him if you don't want to see his majesty suffer! Please let me help him! I can do it!"**

Luna wasn't afraid of the sword at all. She disregarded the sword before her and forced her way forward. The merciless Nier, however, was scared. She moved her sword and watched her vigilantly, but was unsure if she should strike or not. The empress behind her had her back facing towards them. Her silhouette was shaking like an elderly person.

The empress vigorously turned her head around and took big strides over. She grabbed Luna by her collar and dragged her to the door of the room. She violently kicked the door open and then tossed Luna inside. The empress then turned around to look at Nier and shouted: "Nier! Watch her! If she tries anything funny with the prince, take her head!"

"Understood!"

"Thank you, your majesty!"

Luna picked herself up, turned around to see the silhouette where the screams were coming from, took in a deep breath and walked over.

GlossaryWhile I was in a hazy state, I felt my lower body go numb… No… Not that type of numbness from poor blood circulation, but rather… The type of… Yeah… The type where you feel really good…

Yeah…

Afterwards…

I was so shocked my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I desperately tried to lift my head but the rope by my throat prevented me. I had just regained my senses so everything looked pitch-black to me. However, I could recognise who it was from her voice. In fact I didn't even need to hear her voice. There was only one person here who could help me, so there was no question about it.

"AAAHH!!!"

A painful cry from the bottom of my bed could be heard. Only mom can withstand my mana. Lucia pa.s.ses out just from licking my lips. Luna, however, swallowed all of my mana!! I could hear her rolling around and slamming the ground, but I couldn't lift my head.

I shouted: "NIER!!!!!! NIER! HURRY AND UNTIE ME! UNTIE ME!!"

"Right away."

I heard a calm and familiar voice. I caught a glimpse of the light from the reflection of Nier's sword and all the ropes that had me tied up came undone. I quickly popped myself up. I still had no strength in my legs and couldn't support myself. I basically rolled off the bed. I hit my head onto the floor hard when I rolled off but I didn't care about that. I used my arms and legs to desperately crawl over to her. My vision was ultra-poor and still dark, but I still caressed one of her hands.

"Luna! Luna!"

I desperately rubbed my eyes. My quivering hands searched around and reached for Luna's body. Luna was curled up like a ball. Her face was covered in tears, while a liquid with a foul stench flowed from her lower body. The liquid was flowing out of every place liquids could flow out of from her body. That was a natural physiological reaction. It was only natural for Luna to lose control over her body like that when her magical prowess is a far-cry from mom. Even mom needs to release it after sucking out my mana.

Luna grabbed my arm with all her might and pushed me onto the floor. She mounted me and stared at me with her blood-red eyes in the darkness which was like a wolf that found its prey. She desperately rubbed her lower body against mine, while her fingers gripped my chest. She laughed in a lunatic tone which and shouted: "Come on… Hurry! Hurry! I can't take it anymore!! I can't take it anymore! Hurry!! Do it! Ravage me! Ravage me! I want it! I want it!!"

Is this what an elf in heat is like?! The l.u.s.t of elves literally explodes on full moon nights. Even mom gets h.o.r.n.y after sucking out mana, albeit being able to retain her sanity. But I could tell that Luna had gone completely mad. Her breathing sped up to a dangerous rate. She ripped my clothes off with her hands. I could feel the places she rubbed against become instantly moist. Her smile was that of someone who was insane. She was drooling like a rabid dog. She tore off her skirt, revealing her entire beautiful body, which also seemed to slightly glow. I could see the spring water of life run down the mountains and straight downwards. She lowered her head and crazily licked my face.

"Get lost!! You don't deserve to touch my son with your filthy body! I've already shown an excessive amount of generosity by allowing you to do that!"

Mom's cold voice came from above Luna's head. She grabbed Luna with one arm and threw her to one side, where two Valkyries quickly proceeded to hold her down. However, Luna in her insane state was too much for even the Valkyries to hold down. She swiftly broke free of them and stumbled over like a zombie.

Shiiiiing!!

I heard the sound of a swift sword draw. I reacted as if I'd been conditioned to the reflex, hugged the leg by my side and shouted: "Mom… Mom!! Don't! Don't!!"

"…Son, don't be rash. You just focus on resting… I won't kill her, alright?"

Mom bent over and stroked my head. I then heard a m.u.f.fled thud. I saw Luna lifelessly kneeling on the floor, and then slowly fall to the ground. I'd expended my last ounce of strength as well so my eyes were covered with a dense fog once again. My painful and powerless body went limp on the floor and I pa.s.sed out again.

At least it stopped hurting…

The empress returned Nier her long sword and Nier sheathed it into its scabbard. She then carried me and put me on my bed. The two Valkyries held Luna who was unconscious and quickly dragged her out. The empress stepped over the filth Luna left behind, frowned and said: "Get the servants to clean this room up before my son wakes up. Re-attach the doors and clean the floor."

"As you command."

Nier nodded and then quickly left the room. The empress walked up to my bedside, pulled over a chair and sat down. She looked at my silent silhouette, reached her hand out and caressed my face. She remained silent for a long time.

After some time, Alice entered and at the empress's side quietly said: "Reporting in, your majesty. The elf is still alive."

"Is that so? In other words, I don't need that b.i.t.c.h anymore since I have this elf…? In that case, the elves are a useless existence to me now. Hmm…"

The empress carefully pulled my blanket up.

With an enthusiastic look in her eyes, Alice looked at the empress and said: "That is correct, your majesty. We do not need the elves to keep the prince alive any longer. The elf's reaction may be a bit overwhelming, but she can be used nonetheless. Your majesty, we should now continue the war that we did not finish ten years ago. Once we conquer the elves, we will truly have conquered the mainland."

However, the empress didn't respond to her. She just continued to silently look at her son's silent sleeping face for a long while. Before the war ten years ago broke out, the eyes of the empress was filled with determination and murderous intent. Back then, not even Alice dared to look into the empress's eyes. But in the present, ten years later when discussing the war, the empress's eyes were filled with love and satisfaction. Her eyes didn't have a tinge of murderous intent in her eyes.

"Forget it."

A moment later, the empress gently sighed, smiled as she caressed her son's face and said: "My son has returned. I no longer have any reason to start a war. What's the point of calling upon all of the country's power and resources to attack a block of land? I would have to form an army to protect the place, and send someone to train them. When I join the expedition, Castor aside, even Socina will take advantage of the situation to take action. War is not a tool but a tactic… I'm tired of it… I'm tired of it… I'm satisfied as long as my son is by my side. This is enough. It's enough."

Alice was silent for a while before softly replying: "Understood."

She then turned around to leave.

The empress who once rode at the very front on her white steed while her eyes were filled with murderous intent and rage had disappeared. She disappeared when the prince returned. The once valiant war commander who led tens of thousands of soldiers had become a mother who quietly watched over her son sleeping. Alice clenched her fists tightly and punched the wall beside her, creating a cracking sound and leaving a crack which ran through half of the wall.

"It's all because of that d.a.m.ned prince!"

"Son, I told you that I would tell you about the past once you wake up. I'll tell you what happened ten years ago… No… No… I… I'll tell you the story from twenty years ago… That was how everything started…"

The empress sat by the bedside and gently caressed her son's hands. She watched her son who was still sleeping and softly said: "Son, I lied. I don't dare tell you the story once you wake up. I know that you'll definitely look at me disappointed…because I was very weak back then… I was a scaredy-cat… I… I'll just tell you here and now…"

The empress took a deep breath, looked at her son's face, the face which was the same as that frivolous young man's twenty years ago, and said: "It was in spring twenty years ago… When I was just… Fourteen… In this room…and on this bed… What happened…"

*