I have been reborn as a human, given a physical form of flesh and blood.
My new name is [Rudi Von Sternberg] - when the maids comment on my appearance, it is typically noted that I'm very slender, with curly brown hair and a clean-cut face that promises to be handsome.
It's been seven years since I was born into this world. Since then, I have gained a name - a symbol of incomparable status in hell.
I am the firstborn son of Count [Karl Von Sternberg], the lord of a fertile territory and cousin of the reigning Emperor.
I spend my days riding horses, learning sword fighting and noble etiquette. All of this is in preparation for inheriting the title of Count Von Sternberg.
Our territory resides in the Crimson Empire - Brittania!
One of the three most significant powers on the continent.
I was destined to rule over others in a way I was deprived of as a lowly demon.
Once I reach my majority and take over from my father, I will declare war on the surrounding lands and make myself an overlord! I will usher in an era of war.
"Future Emperor of the World. This may be my lucky fortune! I am destined to be the main character of this world!"
I couldn't stop the grin threatening to split my face in half.
I hadn't thought this would happen in my wildest nightmares, but this is the most excellent chance ever.
Unlike in hell, where even imps, the lowest of the low, could walk all over me... this time I'm IN CHARGE!
I'll oppress my citizens by raising taxes, gathering soldiers and waging war against my enemies. I'll start by eliminating the Cult of the Demonic God! I can't have other demons trying to encroach on my new possession.
I will live in the lap of luxury, taking bribes and corrupting the innocent followers of the Gods.
However, there is one issue I have to fix before I can claim everything owed to me.
My younger brother, [Hartman Von Sternberg] and the apple of my father's eye.
After the unfortunate death of my mother at the hands of the Demon God's followers, my father waited two years before remarrying [Anastatia Cecilia Valdes].
As the daughter of a Duke, my stepmother is well-versed in handling matters such as the line of succession.
My dear sibling is immensely talented, to a disgusting degree. I could have sworn he was blessed by a god if I hadn't known better.
For every week I spend training, he accomplishes the same in a day.
He trains in his spare time, always riding in the forest... what kind of fucking five-year-old practices alone?
It hurts my heart, but this problem needs a rather... permanent solution.
*************************
A few weeks later...
Rudi's younger brother rode furiously out of the forest, tears in his eyes.
Several shadows were chasing after him at high speeds, the glint of deadly weapons shining from their belts. These were mercenaries and assassins, all tasked with the murder of the second son of the Von Sternberg family.
They had isolated the five-year-old on one of his journeys far from the safety of his parent's vassal knights. The anonymous offer for a hundred gold hadn't been able to hire the best or the brightest, but it had invoked the wrath of society's scum.
Hartman galloped towards the Von Sternberg Castle, desperately crying for help as he raced through the city.
He couldn't afford to let his guard down until he was surrounded by castle walls, as even the city was full of the scum of society.
It was a sad consequence of Count Karl's failure to maintain order since the death of his wife.
There were shouts of recognition from the castle, with knights on horses rushing out to aid their liege.
As the young lad arrived at the lowering draw bridge, he jumped with his horse, about to leap from horseback over the moat into safety.
At the last second, a crossbow bolt came from within the walls and hit Hartman's horse, sending him careening headfirst into the cold waters below, hitting his head on the stone walls.
*************************
Von Sternberg Castle.
My brother was in a coma. How unfortunate.
I was distraught, visiting him every day.
Anastasia spent most of her day sitting beside her son, watching over him.
Was it such a sin for me to take what's mine?
I hadn't felt so pleased with myself in years; my position as the future Count secured.
Prominent priests were inspecting Hartman, and I could be sure he wouldn't wake up for at least a decade, possibly ever.
"Oh Rudi, there you are!"
Someone exclaimed as they reached down to pick me up.
Who could it be but my ill-intentioned uncle, my father's knight captain, and brother to my late mother?
A most significant nuisance since birth, always dragging me off to learn swordsmanship and magic.
He had grown up as an exile in the Crimson Empire, banished from his home nation of Sapphire after they had suffered a revolution.
Perhaps because of that, he held a deep hatred for commoners of high education and always attempted to instil warlike tendencies in me.
"Hello, Uncle. It's such a pity Hartman is suffering like this. What will my father do about the attackers?"
As he replied, a slightly mad air began to emanate from my dear [Phillip Auguste Valois].
"Death. I have convinced your cowardly sire to purge the city of its scum. Never again shall noble blood be threatened by such dirty creatures."
If there was one thing I liked about my uncle, I didn't need to hide my bloodlust.
"Will they suffer? Do you plan to burn them out of their ratholes? Let me come with you, Uncle Phillip!"
There was something that appealed to me in the way he chuckled at my response, hugging me close as he led me to the training yard.