PROLOGUE
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Leticiel was a princess.
She lived in a turbulent time when multiple kingdoms fought each other in bloody battles for control over the continent. Countless nations were founded in frequent wars, the same number being destroyed in the process. The grassless land, which had been stained red with the blood of too much war, was a barren wasteland that spoke of the terrible events that had taken place there. In that desolate world, whether they were young or old, everyone had to fight with weapons in hand to survive.
Leticiel was the princess of a remote country. True peace did not exist in that era, but, at least in her country, which was located far from the center of the continent where the conflicts were the most intense, things were relatively peaceful.
Although quarrels with neighboring countries were never ending and battles were a common occurrence, the situation wasn’t so desperate that all of the citizens had to be drafted into war. Leticiel lived a peaceful life surrounded by a warm family and her loving soulmate, protecting and caring for her beloved citizens. In a world too cruel to hope for peace, the simple happiness she had in her daily life was more than enough.
But today, it all came to an end.
The kingdom was invaded by one of its large neighboring countries. Its people were massacred, its cities set on fire, and countless people lost their lives. Those with power fought back with all their might, but their efforts paled in comparison to the might of their neighboring country’s invasion. Bit by bit, the kingdom was swallowed by the opposing force, turning the land into hell.
The royal castle had remained unconquered until the very end, when it was surrendered by a secret informant. The neighboring country had taken it over just moments earlier.
An immense amount of blood coated the throne room. Deep marks from sword strikes had been carved into the walls, bodies still hanging from some of the swords. It was obvious with one glance that a brutal battle had taken place there.
Leticiel glanced outside the windows and saw flickering flames roughly lick the window panes, dark smoke blotting out the overcast sky. It didn’t take long for her to realize that someone had set fire to the castle. She idly watched, seeming unconcerned as a man covered in blood approached her, a blood-stained sword in his hand.
When she looked down, she was faced by countless corpses. The king, the queen, and her beloved partner. All of them had been killed by the invading enemy forces. Right now she was the only living member of the royal family. When that man reached her, the kingdom itself would fall.
Leticiel could resist if she wanted to. She was so skilled in sorcery that she was referred to as the kingdom’s treasure.
But she didn’t. No matter how strong she was, the enemy had the advantage of numbers on their side. That was why her family hadn’t been able to escape their murders.
The capital had fallen, the royal castle had been overtaken, and the whole country was now full of her enemies, so what good would it do for her to fight alone?
Besides, Leticiel no longer cared about anything. This country was no longer the kingdom she knew. Its lush fields had been scorched, its beautiful townscapes ruthlessly destroyed.
Her citizens, whom she had loved and cherished, had turned into silent corpses. Her family, whom she had loved and received love from in return, as well as the partner she had pledged eternal love to, had all passed on, leaving her behind.
There wasn’t a single thing left for Leticiel to protect. All that remained was bottomless despair and hatred that threatened to incinerate her.
In that case, there was no point in living in such a devastating world.
Leticiel smiled quietly at the man standing before her, making him gasp. He probably hadn’t expected that reaction from her.
Grasping the sword the man held, Leticiel slowly placed it over her own heart. Rather than being killed by someone else, she wanted to end her life with her own hands.
The man was saying something, shouting anxiously. He frantically tried to pull the sword away, but Leticiel used her magic to immobilize him. She’d already made up her mind and wouldn’t let him ruin her resolve.
The neighboring country likely wanted to capture her alive, desperate to get their hands on her as her country’s greatest sorceress. That was why they had spared her until the very end, making examples of her family by using cunning methods to kill them one by one.
Several men came running from the entrance to the throne room, hoping to stop Leticiel from killing herself.
Leticiel chuckled. She was the princess of this country. In her heart, she carried with her the pride of being a member of the royal family. She would maintain that pride until the very end, refusing to be used by the people who had destroyed her beloved country. She would not grant the neighboring country’s wishes.
Thankfully, the throne room was long and narrow. The men were still coming for her, but they wouldn’t make it in time.
Leticiel lowered her head slightly. The men behind her couldn’t see her expression. Only the man whom she had immobilized saw the final expression of the country’s national treasure. He was still talking, but none of his words reached Leticiel’s ears.
Leticiel smiled quietly. She looked beautiful, noble, invigorated, and joyful, as if she had been freed from all shackles.
The blade of the sword dug into the flesh of her hands as she gripped it, spilling red droplets onto her smooth, white skin. She felt no pain, nor fear.
Even though she was about to die, her spirits were strangely high. Was it because she would soon be joining her loved ones? Or was it because she would be getting revenge on her loathsome neighbor?
She had fallen so far, but would she fall even further to Hell or rise to Heaven? Leticiel slowly closed her eyes and drew the sword closer.
The blood-stained sword pierced her heart with a nasty squelch. As she had expected, there was no pain, so she took the opportunity to guide it even deeper.
Moments later, she felt it pierce her back, completely passing through her. But by that time, she was already tumbling down the slope to death. Her body lurched as her bloody hands that had been holding the sword fell to the ground. The taste of iron spread in her mouth, overflowing and running down her chin, staining the carpet on the floor.
This was the end. There was no fear of death in her heart, only relief.
When the men who had come running arrived at the scene, they cut down the man who had been holding the sword used to pierce Leticiel, punishing him for her death.
But he’d been wrongfully accused, as Leticiel had taken her life of her own accord. The man couldn’t have stopped her even if he’d tried.
Leticiel’s life was steadily draining from her body, and her whole body was as cold as ice. Her vision was blurry from the extreme blood loss, and she was no longer able to move even a single finger.
Her consciousness rapidly faded away as she watched the enemy forces desperately try to heal her. Next time, I want to live a more leisurely and comfortable life, she thought dazedly, mind wandering idly right before her consciousness slipped into darkness.