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    Where Stories Shine in Every Word

    ‘10 years have passed already…’

    After that, I was brought to this country, the Amatsuki Empire, by my master. I had thought that we were heading to the Linzent territory, where my mother’s father served as the lord but it seemed more convenient to keep my whereabouts classified as missing.

    ‘At that time, I wondered why… but looking at this continent now, it was probably the right decision…’

    I had never left the imperial palace, so I knew nothing of the outside world. I was unaware that the empire’s expansion had created numerous enemies on the continent, and many territories were burdened with heavy taxes due to the empire’s financial troubles. My life was built upon these hardships.

    I don’t feel any guilt about this. It’s simply a matter of differences in birth and status…I’ve accepted that.

    Yes, that’s why on that day, my mother and I were attacked by agents of the new emperor, and I, the survivor, had to hide my identity and continue living.

    ‘With each passing year, the number of bandits has increased… it’s become an unpleasant world.’

    My left eye is covered with an eyepatch, so I can only see the ground with my right eye. In my field of vision, two bandits lie on the ground, seemingly lifeless.

    I’ve already struck their vital points with the blade I hold in my hand, so there’s no hope for them.

    “Oi, Vyril! I always tell you not to rush in alone!”

    “That’s right! If there were about ten users of insignia  lying in ambush, what were you planning to do?”

    From behind, a pair of a man and a woman appeared. The tall and lively-looking man was Masaomi, while the black-haired woman with a ponytail was Kiyoka.

    Both of them were the same age as me and had been comrades in arms for a long time.

    “Well, if there were that many inscription users, things would have gotten even worse…”

    The two of us had come from the capital to this area to crack down on a group of bandits that had taken refuge in the forest.

    Since they didn’t surrender peacefully, it had turned into a battle like this. The clamour outside had quieted down and it seemed like things had been settled on their end as well.

    I dispelled the black gauntlets that I had manifested on both hands and sheathed my sword.

    “Now then, we should report to the lord of this territory. We’ll leave the cleanup of the bodies to the soldiers and return to the capital.”

    Different countries have different ways of handling nobility. In the Amatsuki Empire, unlike the Zeltreich Empire, the usage of inscription-empowered knights… the role of warriors and the position of lords were significantly different.

    In the empire, even those who awakened to inscription abilities couldn’t become knights if they were commoners. However, in the kingdom, even commoners could live as warriors as long as their abilities were recognized.

    However, what was required of warriors was not just strength and not every family could continue as martial clans.

    Masaomi and Kiyoka were both born into martial families. As for me, I was treated as a war orphan brought here by Master Kirimune.

    Though my status was that of a commoner, my abilities as a warrior were recognized when I was 15 and I’ve been living as a warrior in the kingdom ever since.

    “But Vyril, you’re really strong, aren’t you? It’s no surprise, considering you trained under Master Kirimune, the 【Four Sword Breaker】.”

    “But even if you have confidence in your strength, going solo like that is not acceptable.”

    “…My bad. At that time, I thought it was the quickest way to finish them off.”

    Master Kirimune was a legendary swordsman in this country. Among the renowned warriors in the kingdom, there were many disciples of Master Kirimune.

    Although Master Kirimune had trained several successors in the kingdom, he had set out on a journey through various lands after a while. Along the way, it seems he met my mother, who had not yet married, in the Linzent territory.

    Even after living in the imperial palace he continued to have a connection with my mother and he mentioned that she asked him to teach her son, me,  how to use a sword.

    ‘Certainly, ever since leaving the imperial capital, I’ve been constantly trained by Master…’

    I didn’t come to this country immediately after leaving the capital. At that time, every imperial territory was in intense conflict and it wasn’t easy to move around. Therefore, I couldn’t head straight to the Amatsuki Empire and I spent over a year travelling with my master.

    During that time, my master trained me rigorously. I didn’t want to go through something like that again… having a sword pointed at me suddenly and losing something precious without being able to resist.

    At least, if I had the same level of power as my master back then, my mother wouldn’t have been killed.

    My motivation and determination to become stronger were more than sufficient. Additionally, my inscription ability manifested gauntlets on both arms, which also increased my physical strength, making it a good match for swordsmanship. In that environment, I was determined to become stronger.

    ‘It was fortunate that I could become a warrior despite being born in the empire.’

    The people of the kingdom welcomed my master’s return with open arms. They pitied me as a war orphan and, at the same time, garnered strange attention as the long-lost disciple of Kirimune, the 【Four Sword Breaker】.

    Well, so far, I’ve been able to produce results that aren’t embarrassing as my master’s disciple.

    My master strictly forbade me from revealing my true birth or name. The reason is very simple; if the empire found out about me being here, it would undoubtedly become a source of conflict between nations.

    I have no intention of involving this grateful country in such matters.

    “But recently, it seems we’ve been sent out more often to deal with bandits like this. Bandits are coming closer to the capital and I imagine it must be tough along the borders…”

    “Yeah. I’ve heard there are many refugees too.”

    “It all started on that day… when the Zeltreich Empire collapsed due to their own actions. What a troublesome country.”

    “………….”

    While I was in the imperial palace, I knew nothing about it but ten years ago, a major event shook the continent within the Zeltreich Empire. In simple terms, my father…the previous emperor, passed away and a new emperor was born.

    However, many territories and nobles refused to pledge loyalty to this new emperor and they raised their banners in rebellion. This led to a civil war but the empire at that time was facing financial difficulties everywhere. Additionally, there were many starving people and the loyalty of the commoners towards the aristocracy had significantly waned.

    Among those who aimed to take advantage of this chaotic situation were neighbouring countries that had long been embittered by the empire. Some of these countries initiated invasions, while others supported rebel lords or the new emperor, further contributing to the empire’s turmoil.

    Now the empire is divided into three major factions, but the conflicts continue unabated. The effects of this turmoil have spread throughout the continent and the Amatsuki Empire has seen an influx of refugees and dispossessed citizens turned bandits.

    ‘I wonder what happened to my younger siblings… It depends on which side my maternal family sided with… Well, it’s not something I should worry about.’

    I am now a warrior of the kingdom and despite having royal blood, it doesn’t grant me any special privileges or responsibilities. I will continue to live my life as a warrior.

    Warriors can request to be assigned a room within a spacious mansion called the Rishinkan.

    This mansion is frequently visited by warriors and serves as a common place for receiving new orders and holding meetings. There are many warriors like me, who were born as commoners, residing here but there’s a rule that they must move out when they start a family.

    “I slept well…probably I used quite a bit of energy with bandit suppression and nighttime training.”

    Yesterday, after finishing work, I engaged in training at the dojo. Then, I went to the capital for dinner and ended up spending the night with a woman I knew before returning here.

    Since I started living in the capital, I’ve had several ongoing physical relationships with women who were commoners. Well, I’m a grown man and it’s only natural to have sexual desires, so it can’t be helped.

    “As for today’s schedule… I’m a lecturer at the martial school again. Why do I, as a warrior, have to take on the role of a teacher…”

    Ever since I began living as a warrior, I can assert one thing without a doubt; the nobles in this country are busier than the nobles in the empire.

    Regardless of one’s lineage, only those who meet the qualifications are treated as nobles. However, these warriors are genuinely busy.

    They engage in bandit suppression, maintain public order in towns and sometimes act like jack-of-all-trades by listening to the concerns of commoners. Many warriors also join the imperial army, which can be demanding as well, with rigorous training from morning till night.

    Furthermore, if their sword skills become dull or if they engage in inappropriate behaviour as warriors, they can lose their status immediately. That’s why regular training is essential and they can’t afford to slack off from their duties.

    So, for today’s job, I headed to the martial school.


    ◼️ Brief Character Introductions

    マサオミ (Masaomi) and キヨカ (Kiyoka)

    Friends made in the Amatsuki Empire and fellow warriors.

    キリムネ(Kirimune)

    A renowned swordsman known by all warriors in the Amatsuki Empire.

    ◼️ Brief Setting Introduction

    アマツキ皇国(Amatsuki Empire)

    A small country located to the southeast of the Zeltreich Empire. While it is situated along the coast, it lacks developed port towns. The nation tends to avoid diplomatic interactions with countries other than its neighbours, preferring isolation. Individuals like Kirimune who venture abroad are a minority.

    Note