Chapter 1 – Purge Day
by PinkPantherIt was quiet… a very quiet night. But it had just become quiet, as until then, I had been spending my first night with the two beautiful girls who had become my wives.
On both sides of me, there were two beautiful girls. One with a well-tanned body that suited her thick, golden hair and the other with a petite figure, enchanting black hair and fair skin. They were both quietly asleep, breathing softly.
‘I’m finally here… I’ve made up my mind. I will unify this country… the Zeltreich Empire.’
Marriage to the two of them was also necessary for that purpose. But it’s not a relationship I’m unfamiliar with, and I want to cherish it. Above all, there’s a vow I’ve made, even willing to risk my life for.
That said, I really need to have children with the two of them soon…Well, if I hold them every day from now on, I guess children will come eventually.
After more than a decade since the fateful day, I could finally stand at the starting line. From tomorrow, I will pile up countless corpses and reach for my hopes beyond the endless river of blood. The battle for that purpose begins.
“Mmm…”
The bodies of the two girls twitched. Despite it being their first time, they welcomed my essence well.
Aah…for the sake of these two as well, I won’t stop.
■
“Oh…! Vilgard-sama, you truly have a strong physique, don’t you?”
“Is that so!? Well, when my master says that, it makes me glad I chose the path of the sword!”
In the imperial capital of the Zeltreich Empire, which was expanding its territory across the continent, there was the Imperial Palace where the royal family resided. In its courtyard, I was receiving swordsmanship instruction.
“Well, for a twelve-year-old… but still.”
“What’s that supposed to mean!?”
“Hahaha. Well, but in my homeland, you’d be considered quite the warrior.”
I am Vilgard Zeltreich, a prince of this empire. However, I am just one of many royal family members, and my position in the line of succession is around twentieth.
I will never become the emperor of this great empire in the future and it has already been decided that I will be sent to some distant province or country. However, this is a war-prone country, and despite being a member of the royal family, I might lead a knight order to the front lines. That’s why, unlike the formal swordsmanship training that my elder brothers receive, I was receiving rigorous and genuine instruction.
The one invited to the Imperial Palace to be my swordsmanship instructor was Master Kirimune. I heard that my mother recommended him as my teacher.
He came from a country that boasted many skilled swordsmen, and he had quite a reputation there. In that country, they used single-edged curved swords rather than double-edged swords.
Double-edged swords were quite heavy to wield properly. At the age of ten, my body was still growing and couldn’t handle the burden.
Initially, I still persevered with my swings but one day, my master said something as he watched me.
“『Considering how your muscles are developing, Vilgard-sama and your aptitude for engraving techniques, a sword might be more suitable for you. Before you settle into a particular style, why don’t you give it a try while it’s still in its formative stage? Actually, I find it easier to teach this style as well.』”
From that day on, I began using a sword. In reality, it felt more comfortable than swinging a double-edged straight sword. Although the Commander of the Imperial Palace Guards frowned upon it.
“Is your master’s homeland located in the southeast of the Empire?”
“Yes, it’s a martial nation, the Amatsuki Empire. The country has excellent sake and delicious fish; it’s a wonderful place. I hope to guide you there someday.”
My teacher wasn’t just Master Kirimune. I had instructors for various subjects such as history, pharmacology, etiquette, engraving techniques, and music.
Even though I held the lowest rank among the royals, I still had to acquire a respectable education as a noble of this country. However, the time outside of swordsmanship training was quite boring.
“Let’s conclude here for today. I’ll see you again in two days.”
“Thank you very much!”
The Zeltreich Empire was an ancient and historic nation that had endured for 500 years. There were many members of the royal family and the Imperial Palace where they resided had an extensive estate.
However, access to different areas was strictly determined by the order of succession to the throne. Those lower in rank were only allowed into a small portion of it.
Nevertheless, this meant that I had many opportunities to meet with my half-siblings. In fact, my mother often held tea parties with my other brothers and sisters.
“Onii-san! What kind of lessons did you have today?”
“Onii-sama! I received praise from my teacher in etiquette class today!”
Until I reached adulthood, I would mostly stay within the Imperial Palace…but I was leading a reasonably fulfilling life during that time.
After receiving education here, I would come of age at fifteen and then my life as an Imperial noble would truly begin. We, as members of the royal family, would contribute to the further development of the Empire.
I had always thought that this life would continue indefinitely. I was earnestly attending classes, thinking about the future, where I might lead a knight order, or go to other regions or countries to represent the royal family. About six months had passed this way, and one day…
“Vyril…”
“Mother? Is something wrong? You seem so flustered…”
My mother was looking at me with a serious expression. Something must have gone wrong. Seeing her like this, I too became anxious.
“We’re moving from here. Come with me.”
“Moving from here? But, Mother, I am not allowed to enter areas other than this sector…”
“It’s alright. I’ll protect you, Vyril. Now…”
With an irresistible force, I left the room following my mother’s command. We walked swiftly down the wide, grand corridor.
‘There’s no doubt something happened… but it’s hard to inquire about it here.’
Today, I had been sensing a strange atmosphere throughout the entire palace. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was… but there was definitely an unsettling feeling. It was as if the air was restless…
Come to think of it, the teachers for etiquette and history had disappeared a little while ago. I hadn’t heard that they quit and there were no replacement instructors.
Furthermore, Master Kirimune hadn’t visited here for about a month. This was the first time my swordsmanship training had been left vacant for such a long time.
I couldn’t quite grasp the true nature of the unsettling feeling, which made me feel uneasy. However, even as I thought about these things, my feet continued to follow my mother. I had already stepped outside the area that had been permitted for me.
“..This way.”
Turning right at the end of the hallway, we entered a slightly larger garden. There, two knights were waiting. My mother addressed them.
“…What’s the situation?”
“Yes! The knights are already in motion! We can still make it in time if we hurry!”
I could feel a strong sense of tension from the knights as well. I couldn’t help but voice my anxiety.
“Mother. What in the world is happening…?”
“Vyril. We will board a carriage together now and leave the capital. Our destination is the territory ruled by my father… the Linzent Estate.”
“Mother’s… father…”
My mother was one of the largest landowners within the empire. For some reason, we were heading there now. The knights in front of us were likely affiliated with my grandfather’s estate.
But then, it happened. A series of clattering noises drew closer. Ten knights appeared, and among them was a familiar face.
“Oh… Thank goodness, did we make it in time?”
“………….!!”
My mother, along with the two knights, had a change in expression. One of the newly arrived knights belonged to one of the several knight orders in the capital and served as the Commander of the Imperial Palace Guards.
The knight raised his right arm, and in the next moment, arrows were shot into the two knights who were standing in front of my mother.
“Eh…?”
Because they were wearing armour, there was a loud clang as they fell to the ground. Despite seeing the arrows and the blood spreading from their bodies, I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.
“W-What… is…”
“Insolent! Shedding blood within the Imperial Palace, and you claim to be knights of the Empire!”
“Hahaha. We have already received permission from the new Emperor. 『Clean up this place』he said. Oh, and there’s no value in taking hostages. The Linzent lineage ends here.”
“N-No…!”
One of the knights pointed an arrow at me. I was paralyzed with fear, unable to even think about using engraving techniques instinctively. And then…
“Ah…”
My mother stepped forward, placing herself between the knight with the arrow and me, embracing me.
Blood flowed from my mother’s mouth. Her eyes were looking at me with great tenderness.
“Mo..ther…”
The Commander of the Imperial Palace Guards, who stood behind my mother, swung his sword into my mother’s back. The heavy, blunt vibration of the blade passed through my mother’s body, right to me.
The light in my mother’s eyes disappeared, but she still held onto me tightly. The Commander of the Guards, with evident annoyance, continued to kick my mother’s body.
“You…! Just get out of the way…!”
“Stop… Stop it!”
What is happening? What is going on? What about my mother? Why are the knights who are supposed to protect us doing such terrible things? Why are my mother and I suffering like this?
“Enough, just kill that woman along with the boy!”
The Commander of the Guards prepared to strike, extending his blade straight towards my mother and me… but then.
“Wha…!?”
“I was too slow…! You…! You damn bastards!”
Standing there was Master Kirimune, who hadn’t been seen for the past few days. With movements I had never seen before, my master swiftly cut down all ten knights within seconds.
I had been watching, yet I couldn’t comprehend what had happened. My master’s movements were invisible to me.
My master wiped the blood from his sword and then turned his gaze towards me. His expression was clearly marked with regret.
“I’m sorry… I was too late…”
“Y-You… y-you..”
My mother’s arm was gradually growing cold. Ah… my mother was dead, wasn’t she? Why did I realise it so clearly?
I had woken up this morning, thinking it would be another ordinary day. Just a while ago, I was talking to my mother.
“Vilgard-sama…no, Vilgard. This is my self-indulgence. Not even a redemption for not making it in time. But… I swear on this life, on my name, on my sword and on the love I have for your late mother, I will protect the life she saved from here on.”
And then…without understanding anything about the situation, I was led away by my master, leaving the capital behind.
Hello, PinkPanther here!
I’ve taken over this novel and have spoken with the previous translator. I was about to continue from where they left off, but they suggested I start over completely due to some spelling and naming inconsistencies in the earlier chapters.
Thanks for reading and supporting the series!