I had experienced enough twists for one day.
First I'm transported to another world with magic.
Then I realize that I've taken over someone else's body.
And now I find out that I'll be killed instantly if I reveal my true identity?
What the fuck?! This is utterly ridiculous! How in the world I'm supposed to stay alive now? I know absolutely next to nothing about this world and my identity, and now I have a king and his entire nation seeking to kill me?
I wanted to cry where I stood, but no tears flowed out of my eyes. This situation was definitely becoming ridiculous, but that didn't mean that I would turn in my life in to the king either. Besides, it could definitely get worse. At least no one suspects Hermes as the traitor, right?
"What the fuck are you doing here Hermes?"
Never mind. I was fucked. Time to say my prayers now.
"You spoiled brat!" The king shouted angrily, his jaw clenching tightly. "If you complain to me one more time about having to protect the Hero's Party, I will personally send you to the headsman."
My heart nearly left my body as I heard the king's words. Some god had to be toying with me right now. That was the only plausible explanation to the insanity that happening to me today.
And what father would execute their own teenage son for whining too much? What had Hermes done to incur this much wrath from the king anyway?
"Hermes! Don't you dare play the silent treatment with me you fucking twat!"
I suddenly realized that I had to respond as Hermes. I had absolutely no clue how to respond, but I was sure that anything would fare me better than more silence.
"S-sorry fa-ther." I managed to stutter out, my words feeling foreign and strange on my new tongue. "I-"
"I what?" The king snapped, finishing my sentence for me. "Were you going to admit that you are spineless coward and that I should fuckin' kill you first before a monster kills your pitiful ass on the battlefield?"
I froze. This wasn't good. The king was more than just frustrated. He was in a blind rage. If I didn't handle this correct, I would be headless by the time night fell.
"C'mon Hermes! Just surrender your life already, ok? You're better off dead than alive right now anyway."
I needed to appease his anger immediately. Half-hearted apologies would not work. I had already tried that, and it did nothing more than make him even angrier. No. I needed to prove myself to the king-my father- if I wanted to live.
I took in deep breath and prayed to whatever god that was toying with me to spare me.
It was time to roll the dice.
"Y-you're right father." I said trying to imbue as raw emotion as I could into my voice. "I am p-pitiful, spineless coward. I am ashamed of mysel-."
"Not gonna surrender your pride?" The king cut me off, obviously not hearing my words. "Ok then. I guess have to…"
The king suddenly froze. It was only then that he realized what I had actually said.
"Wait…what?" Complete bewilderment consumed to the king's features. "What did you just say?"
He was not expecting for me to surrender my pride.
Perfect.
"I am ashamed of m-myself. I…I will take on any punishment that you feel is necessary for me."
The king's jaw dropped. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out of his mouth. He was in complete and utter shock.
"Kalanthius." Gaelin suddenly spoke up, his voice sounding very surprised. "His words are…genuine. It seems that he truly feels that he is guilty and should be punished by you."
My eyes flashed to Gaelin. How was he so sure that my words were genuine? Wait…can he tell whether I'm lying or not. Is that some sort of magic or something like that?
I cast the possibility from my mind. That wasn't important right now. Proving myself worthy to the king was my only goal right now.
"Hermes…" The king spoke softly, tilting his head towards the open ceiling. "What has come over you? Why-Your pride-"
"I cannot…no…will not live holding onto my pride anymore. I dug my own pit following that path. No. I am here to tell you that I have decided to live differently than before."
His eyes widened at those words. Good. He's taken the bait.
"Live…differently?" The king rolled the words on his tongue, still shocked by the whole situation. "How will you live differently? Are…are you seriously telling me that you will accept your duty as the Future Protector of Durham Kingdom?"
A slight smile crept up my mouth. Everything was going according to plan.
"Father…tell me…what kind of person I am. Is it right that I'm trying to become someone…better than what I am now?"
The king didn't respond immediately. Looking at his face, I could tell that he was still trying to process what I was saying. That was good. The more I shock him, the more susceptible he is to my words. The more susceptible he is, the more I can trick him into telling me information about Hermes and this world.
"You are a spoiled brat Hermes." The king said bluntly. "You are the shame of my lineage. No…shit, you're even more than that. You are the shame of this kingdom. Day by day, I live sorting out your problems. You refuse to train in the barracks, ignore all of my orders and refuse to speak with anyone! Idiot!" He said, his voice growing louder. "One day, the Kingdom will call you to protect this kingdom, but you're only just a coward! A shameful brat! A-"
"I know Father." I decided to cut him off. If I let him keep on going, I could almost guarantee that he would spiral into a blind rage, at which point he would send me to my death before I could say a word. I silently cursed the real Hermes in my head. He must have been an incredibly idiotic fool to gain this reputation.
"I understand. That's why I need to change." I said with conviction in my voice. "I am willing to pay for my offenses so that I become what I must be."
"And what is that?" The king asked quizzically. "The Protector? Even if it was your time, you cannot-"
"No." I interrupted. "I must become more than that. I must not only protect the kingdom against the Demon King, but humanity."
The king erupted from his seat. Great. I had him hooked. One last line would prove myself indefinitely.
"Hermes…you can't be saying-"
"Father, I pledge to you today I will become this world's shield."