The sunlight poured through the looming windows, giving the pristine room a warm glow.
Within the spacious room, sunlight shone on the figure curling on the bed in deep slumber. Silver threads spread out on the pillows, glistening under the warm sunshine.
Laying on the bed with a blanket that covered half his face, Mohan looked peaceful. As if nothing in the world could wake him up.
Click, click, click.
A series of footsteps resounded in the empty corridors outside.
"Mhmm.."
A sleepy groan sounded. Mohan's brows furrowed, his forehead creasing in discomfort.
Click, click.
The sharp sound of footsteps seemed to ring inside the youth's ears.
As the footsteps got closer, he furrowed his brows. Indignant and annoyed, he slowly got up.
The sound of the door emitted a clear sound.
As he entered the room, Amir was taken aback by the figure on the bed.
With his head bowed and his hair curtained around him, the young man exuded a deadly aura. He supposed that if he went one step closer, the prince wouldn't hesitate to kill him on the spot right away.
".. His Highness is already awake. Would you like a bath to freshen up?"
The silence was the response he got.
The young prince abruptly raised his arm, facing the butler, and shot a crystalized sheet of frost towards his feet from within his palm!
Amir was caught off guard. His eyes widening, he narrowly avoided the sheet of ice hurled at his feet.
Unfortunately, his footwear still bore a small part of the impact.
Shhh!
The smooth, leather calfskin footwear's left side instantly turned to ice. The crystalized leather couldn't withstand the low temperature and promptly shattered into dust.
"…"
Ignoring his half-torn shoe, he stared intently at the figure on the bed, his eyes glinting with an unknown light.
Mohan raised his head.
Piercing jade eyes were frighteningly staring deep at him as though it was cutting through his eyeballs, digging deep into his skull. It felt as if staring at a ferocious predator eyeing his prey.
Staring into those dull eyes, Mohan opened his mouth.
"Get a bath ready for me and," He leaned a hand behind his back on the bed, folding his legs as he conjured a few ice chunks, playing with them in the palm of his hands.
"Make a cacophony of sounds like a barbarian once more, and you will never again see the light of day."
Tension sparked between the two men, their gazes clashing in the silence.
Amir's expression looked complicated.
"As you wish, Your Highness. I shall prepare it immediately."
Nevertheless, he bowed his head slightly and conceded.
When the butler returned to the bedroom after having finished preparing the bath, he spotted Mohan lounging on the couch in a robe.
Mohan had his legs crossed, his elbows leaning on the sofa frame beside him. He was staring at the ceiling in a daze. Once Amir succeeded in gaining his attention, he muttered a small "Oh," and began walking to the bathroom.
The butler gazed at the youth who brushed past him, his mind in deep thought.
Amir was inclined to exaggerate that this prince might be possessed. It seemed to be the only possible conclusion to his drastic change.
How could a spoiled, ignorant person change from a paper tiger to an intelligent, daunting individual that seemed fitting to the title of Prince?
"…"
That conjecture seemed plausible, after all it was a possibility.
…
A giant dragon carving encircling a bathtub with an open mouth came into sight.
Steam rose in the air as the pitter of droplets echoed within the room. Warm water drops plopped on the water, creating ripples in the warm hazy water.
A large bathtub made of marble accentuated with gold and silver was situated in the middle of the room.
Splash!
Mohan leaned back into the tub, his face thoughtful as he pondered something.
Mohan wasn't particularly upset with Amir, but he felt an unreleased tightness in his body that he couldn't ignore. He felt urged to vent his frustrations, and the primary source of his annoyance was the irritating sound of Amir's shoes.
That's how he awakened his mana, almost unintentionally.
No one would have expected the cheap young Prince to awaken his mana in such a way.
Mohan was an Asheim family descendant. He was a descendent of the sage who sealed the deadly dragon when the Kingdom of Aruisha was founded. Even on their deathbeds, no one knew their age, and they were beautiful regardless of gender. They were fated for a short life in exchange for everlasting good looks and unrivaled poweress. There was, however, a setback. Emperor Asheim's blood could only be passed down once in a hundred generations.
And the Young Prince simply happened to inherit said blood.
Even the Imperial Astrologers predicted Mohan would bring Aruisha prosperity and unending splendor.
Asheim's descendants had a bright future ahead of them, but the King and Queen of this generation put too much pressure on a mere child.
He was expected to walk at seven months, awaken his mana at the mere age of a year, and when he didn't live up to expectations, Mohan had to cope with scorn and ridicule.
Is he actually a descendant of Asheim? What if he turns out to be a fake? These questions were asked intentionally among the noble's hushed whispers and sneers.
You could say that the Imperial Astrologists were fired that day.
Prior generations of descendants had learned how to achieve all of this on a later date, but they considered Mohan an anomaly, so they decided to wait a few more years.
Regrettably, they were bound to be disappointed.
A year, two years, five years…
He never demonstrated any of the extraordinary abilities of Asheim's descendants. He devolved into a trash prince whose only saving grace was his looks.
They considered him to be a flaw, the epitome of bad luck.
They never regarded him as a son at all.
And this same weakness of theirs awakened his ability.
How would they react?
Unfortunately, he never planned on telling them.
His abilities may be his sole means of escape if something goes wrong. Nobles and mercenaries could be after him, and exposing his ability to the public would set off a chain of events that would be undesirable.
And that'd be disadvantageous to him.
The only issue he had at his back was that butler.
It's obvious his intentions weren't pure, and he just had to be the trigger to awakening his mana.
Recalling that glint in Amir's eyes, Mohan's eyes dimmed.
This was a problem.
He had no way of figuring out his intentions, and he wasn't strong enough. Hence it wasn't known when he would be stabbed in the back if that smile-eyed butler decided he would be dangerous one day.
But solutions come in due time. For now, he needs to get stronger.
Finishing up with the bath, Mohan got up, threw on a towel, and strolled to the large walk-in closet.
While he was drying his hair, Amir came in with a pair of clothes in his hand.
Observing Amir, he saw that the previously broken footwear had been replaced. Now brand new and spotless.
Mohan held a snicker.
"Your Highness, you have been invited to a banquet hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty in the Imperial Palace. Would you like to go?"
"Hm? When is it?" Mohan asked, a pensive look on his face.
"It's held next week on a Monday, Your Highness," Amir replied.
Mohan lowered his head as he pondered.
It wasn't unusual for the Imperial Palace to invite a Prince to a banquet, but what was unusual was that they invited the scum prince.
It can't possibly be a well-intentioned invitation.
The question was, who was it that invited him?
It's pointless to think about it right now. The only way to find out was to accept the invite.
He had no choice anyway.
Mohan shrugged and instructed the butler to accept the invitation.
In the meantime, Mohan used his time to learn more about the world. His understanding of the world was like a blank sheet of paper. Even if he had his memories, they were hazy and indistinct. They couldn't help him much.
Lameria was the name of the continent. Races and beings that were previously thought to be fictional existed in this world. Elves and mythical creatures resided in spiritual forests, and rare mythical species had their own domains.
Although the world was united, it is not precisely as united as they claim. Human kingdoms have recently made contact with hidden civilizations of other races that were previously nowhere to be found. There were no unsatisfied parties because mutual advantages were exchanged.
People with greedy intentions who saw inhuman races as 'ignorant' lingered here and there but were fortunately unsuccessful.
The world could be called relatively peaceful, but his memories say otherwise.
Remembering his death, Mohan fiddled with his fingers.
That's something he can't allow to happen.
No, he's not going to let that happen.
His mind and body were engraved with the fear and misery he felt at the time, making him feel helpless and defenseless.
That was a feeling Mohan loathed.
He held the teacup handle in his index finger and thumb and slowly sipped the jasmine tea.
Crash!
The sound of heavy books tumbling on the floor could be heard.
"A-ah! I a-apologize!"
A soft, youthful voice resounded behind him.
Mohan turned around slightly, and a small child came into his sight.
The boy had short, black fluffy hair that seemed soft to the touch and had wide round eyes that were glistening with tears, giving the impression that he had been bullied.
Mohan, who had no experience with children whatsoever: "…."
From his observation, the boy appeared to reach for a book among the extended bookshelves but couldn't reach it and fell.
…Then why did it appear as if he was the one who had done something wrong?
The boy appeared nervous to meet Mohan's gaze, shifting his eyes back and forth before finally deciding to meet his gaze.
He then widened his eyes and stared at him in horror, his arms trembling as if recognizing who he was.
Before Mohan could say anything, the boy staggered slightly and ran away with the tall bookshelves as cover.
"…"
..Who on earth was this boy anyway?
After witnessing this odd event, Mohan threw it to the back of his mind and went back to skimming through his books.
But as the days passed, he noticed that he saw the same sight every day.
The boy would return and peer between the bookcases, staring at him in awe.
Given that Mohan had made no mention of his appearance, he would take a seat on the floor a few meters away and immerse himself in books. Occasionally peeking with a book held to his face, thinking he wouldn't get caught.
But that didn't mean he'd had any kind of conversation with him.
When Mohan tried to strike up a conversation with him, he would scuffle away and stare at him in panic.
"…"
But Mohan had no intention of staying in the library for long. He intended to meet with someone today.
He remembered a group who revolted against the Kingdom from his hazy memories.
They were quick and precise in their actions. Nobody had any idea who they were. It could have been a personal vendetta or anything else.
It could perhaps have been an instance of boredom.
They were highly experienced, even slipping out from the Royal family's grasp at every investigation.
Blood and flesh were all that remained in their wakes, and every witness's mind was etched with blood curdling screams of horror. They even made a reputation for themselves,
The Imperial Exterminators.
Their moniker came from the fact that they targeted members of the Royal Family. Even distant blood relatives were not spared from the slaughter.
The King, enraged and agitated, ordered his vassals to find this group. However, they were bound to be unsuccessful.
No one could trace them at all.
The Kingdom, which was unstable, became even more chaotic due to this group.
The innocent fell, factions rose, and people couldn't distinguish black from white.
It was an utter mess.
That is why Mohan needed to get in touch with this group, more precisely, a person.
He may be the only one who could help him.
Even if it meant putting his life in danger.
"Amir."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Prepare a carriage for me. Make it as inconspicuous as possible."
"...If I may be so impolite to ask, where does His Highness pl-"
"Quiet." Mohan interrupted, a frown on his face.
"..Yes, Your Highness. I shall prepare it right away."
"Good." Mohan nodded his head.
Mohan could feel a scorching stare behind his back, but he ignored it and focused on tidying his desk, placing books on the shelves right where they belonged. In alphabetical order.
Another strange habit. Amir caught a glimpse of Mohan out of the corner of his eye before carrying on to complete his task.
Ten minutes later, the butler came and escorted him to the carriage.
"That's His Highness, Mohan?.."
"Ah, it's really him..!"
"And the Eastern manservant…What's he doing here with that prince?"
"Shush!"
"Quick..! Make yourselves busy!"
"Pipe it down! You'll get yourself killed!"
On the way to their destination, muffled voices and bickering could be heard. Once they made eye contact with Amir's gaze and Mohan's uninterested glance, they hurriedly bowed their heads in fear and scurried around the end of the halls to keep themselves busy.
They were the palace maids in charge of the outer palace's cleaning. In other words, the palace's least responsible maids. Because the outer castle was the least relevant location, the Head Maid didn't keep a careful eye on them. However, they had to make sure that it was clean, at least. After all, this is the Royal Palace. The Imperial Family's abode.
They were nothing in the eyes of the privileged, whether it was a scum prince loathed by the continent or a humble mercenary taking on jobs for the affluent nobility…
They were powerless in the face of authority.
Mohan could feel Amir peering at him, analyzing Mohan's face for any reactions he might have previously made.
"…"
The butler figured he'd test Mohan to see whether he would kick up a fuss and command Amir to hang the maids outside the palace.
But Mohan wasn't an idiot.
There was a shortcut at the other end of the hallway that would allow them to get there much faster and without encountering any obstacles. Instead, he took him on a longer path to see how he would react to these maids.
This plan was meticulously calculated.
Unfortunately for the butler, he did not raise a fuss or order the maids to be murdered. The former him was already long gone.
Mohan didn't say anything, as they had already arrived outside the gates, in an inconspicuous corner.
The carriage was plain, in contrast to the Imperial family's flamboyant and golden-plated carriages that screamed wealth. It would utterly blind anyone's sight. This one, on the other hand, was modest. If pedestrians were to see it, they wouldn't think anything of it as just a standard typical carriage.
Mohan didn't ask Amir how he acquired a dilapidated carriage amid the lavish Imperial Palace in under ten minutes. Instead, he gave Amir a quick glance and stepped inside the vehicle.
"I eagerly await your return, Your Highness."
Anyone who listened to the butler's words would believe he was genuine, but his posture betrayed him. His head was bowed somewhat carelessly, and a chilly spark flickered in his eyes. As if knowing.
Mohan remained silent and didn't reply. The coach climbed into the driver's seat after closing the door.
"Where to? Your Highness." The coach inquired.
"Go to the Mercenary Guild. Stop just a few streets behind."
The coach paused for a second before responding with a "Yes," and the carriage began to move.
Mohan lowered his gaze and looked at the city from above.
The vast, bustling city was nestled between giant mountain peaks. The area was mainly brown, cocoa-colored commoner homes, with the rare magnificent noble homes disrupting the lively scene. The weather was too hot for a fire, although some chimneys emitted faint wispy smokes. He could just make out the waves of trees adorning the hills moving in response to the breeze.
This city was known for its tranquil surroundings. Tourists from all over the continent flock to this city throughout the year, particularly in autumn. The gorgeous landscapes and pleasant weather made it a popular tourist destination.
He had to admit that it was lovely. But this place was corrupt to the core, and no one knew it—what a cruel irony.
Enough of that. This is the first time in both of Mohan's lives that he has seen the city clearly. The 'him' was always engrossed in women and alcohol, obsessed with his 'manly' appearance to the point where his view of the world was distorted.
He almost forgot he wasn't the only person on earth. He has to admit that this is a very soothing scene to behold.
But remembering who he has to meet today, he twiddled his fingers together rhythmically.
Hopefully, negotiations could go well. He didn't want his life to end when it just began.
The vibrating carriage finally came to a halt after almost a quarter of an hour.
"We have arrived, Your Highness."
Mohan stepped out of the carriage and took a look around.
They were tucked between two buildings in an inconspicuous location. His senses were being encompassed by a dark, ominous atmosphere. It was strange how the sun was still high and brilliant in the sky, but the spot he was in did not appear to be in the middle of the day at all.
In fact, had he not instructed the coach to stop here, he really wouldn't notice this place at all.
It was too strange to be normal.
"Wait here. It won't take long." Mohan ordered the coach.
"Yes."
The coach cocked his head slightly, his hat casting a shadow across his face. His gaze flickering with a dark light. He leaned against the carriage and dropped his head, the dark obscuring his face.
That gaze didn't require Mohan to turn around. He knew that the butler had his eyes everywhere, and Mohan knew he couldn't do anything. As a result, he had no choice except to play along or risk appearing dangerous.
Mohan took a deep breath and walked ahead in the bleak dark, his hood drawn up over his vivid silver hair.
The long walk made him nervous, the dark being his only companion. The only thing that made him confident was his vague memories from what he remembered. He knew that this was the place he was looking for. So he wasn't walking around blindly.
After what felt like hours, an old, antiquated door was in sight.
An unidentified light source now illuminated the previously dark area. As if this space was aware of Mohan's presence.
Mohan understood he couldn't turn around because this 'space' wouldn't allow it. He couldn't back out now when he reached this far.
'I didn't have a choice in the first place. Damn fate, I should've just stayed dead.' Mohan grinded
Regaining his composure, he knocked on the door thrice.
"…" No answer.
He knocked twice again.
"…" No answer.
'Tsk, fuck it. It's not my problem no one answered.'
He then carefully reached a hand to open the door.