Chereads / The Dragon Prince Is Awake / Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Prologue

The Dragon Prince Is Awake

arsenes
  • --
    chs / week
  • --
    NOT RATINGS
  • 28.4k
    Views
Synopsis

Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Prologue

[A/N: Before you start reading go and check out the auxiliary chapters. It has most of what you should know at this point and as the story progresses I will reveal more. Thanks and enjoy!]

***

Currently, in an abandoned building located at the outermost edge of the city, Klaymery stood two individuals. One of them was a male clad in a dark blue suit that accentuated his tan bearded face and sleek combed black hair. He was holding out a brown file toward a taller yet noticeably skinny young man whose head was bowed. His short unnatural white hair, covered his pale face as he silently took the file.

"I need you to take care of the two people shown in the file I'm giving you." Said the older-looking man.

"Relations?" The white-haired man asked, keeping the file in his hands.

"That's sir to you and you are in no authority to ask me questions. Get out of here and get the job done." His growing irritation was evident from the snap of his response and the resounding slap that echoed through the building. 

"… Sir." The white-haired man spoke through gritted teeth. Bending the upper half of his body down 90 degrees he bowed and left the area with his head hung low.

Now outside the man looked up as the bright full moon graced his dark red eyes and fair skin which was tainted by the red hand mark on his angular jaw. 

"How long do I have to keep this up?" Sighing the young man averted his gaze from the moon to open the file in his hands and upon seeing the two pictures it contained his expression instantly grew cold.

"Really, these are children." Inside the file two images of children, a boy, and a girl, looking to be no older than 2 were clipped onto a white page that held their information. 

Although the man himself was no saint, he at least had morals. In this line of work he was never given jobs that required a life to be taken, the words 'take care of' consisted of either providing evidence of shutting the contacts up or taking their businesses. They were all criminals anyway so he had no problem in doing so. 

However, these particular photos had a big red stamp labeled kill under them. He knew he couldn't do such to kids who had no publicity in the constant power-hungry world, their innocence was still there and he didn't want to take it away.

He has been an observer of those who were less unfortunate and yet he was powerless to do anything. There was a law system set, yes and there were multiple rulers but there were always rats hiding under their noses. 

The Neutral continent that he lived in was the most infested. Since clans weren't established here people created gangs and the like. Their only mission? Ruin. Complete ruin wherever those filthy hands touched. It had gotten to the point that the Angel King dispatched guards and priests around the area to provide and protect but stayed for a few years. They, too, were disgusted by the corruption of beings.

Walking forward he made his way to the heart of the city where the shops were located, with the meager amount of 10 silver he was paid per job he couldn't hope to buy anything other than a few loaves of bread. 

He didn't mind it though, it allowed him to meet an important figure in his life which brought him to now as he stood in front of a small building situated between two larger ones. It was a bakery.

Opening the wooden door that hit a bell that was on the doorframe he entered the shop. From the back, a feminine voice called out, "I'll be right there!"

After a few moments, a woman who appeared to be in her late 30s came out, her long brown hair that was tied up swayed behind her, and her matching eyes seemed to brighten when she saw the man who came in.

"Casen! What happened to your face?" She rushed from around the shelf that was stacked with pastries and reached to touch Casens' red cheek.

Grabbing her wrist he carefully pulled her hand away. "I'm okay Eva. What about you, no one has bothered you right?"

Eva's bright eyes visibly dimmed at his words but before he caught it, it went away as fast as it came. "All I have here is bread. Who would bother?"

Releasing a sigh of relief his lips grew into a small smile. Ever since he could remember Eva was a big part of his life, she was his close confidant and he was hers thus he was worried that this innocent woman was caught in the throes of this area. 

"I came to check on you but I'll be back later. I have a job to do." 

"Alright! Eat while you're on your way and be careful. Come back quick so we can celebrate your birthday!"

'Right, it was my birthday today. I'll be 18.' He thought. 

She reached to grab a fresh loaf of bread and handed it to him to which he paid her with 4 silver but she shook her head and pushed them away giving the excuse that today was his special day. 

"Fine, don't stay open for too long okay?" He patted her head. "Umu!" She nodded.

Exiting the shop Casen held the bread in one hand and used the other to open the brown file again with the help of his thumb.

The two kids were children of a merchant that frequently came in and out of Umeth, he met him on occasion and Casen thought he was a decent man with a good head on his shoulders since when they spoke he was always kind.

Deciding to check in on his shop, Casen placed the bread into his worn coat pocket and walked to the far end of the city where it was situated. The location made it easier for the man to pack a carriage and leave when he was moving to another continent.

Upon arriving Casen saw two children sitting outside on a bench, their faces crestfallen. They were who he was tasked to kill.

"Where's your father?" He asked. The shop that was usually lit with laughter was now dark and cold with the door slightly ajar. He saw broken pieces of wood on the floor.

The boy pointed toward the door, "There" and Casen pushed it open to peer inside. He saw a middle-aged man sitting with his back against a broken shelf, his head in his hands.

He had never seen the man in this state before, he'd usually have a bright smile on his face paired with a hearty laugh even when trouble befell him he'd pick himself back up because he had a family to take care of. As long as he had enough to make a living off and feed them he didn't care, but now it was no more. 

Everywhere he looked was broken and torn showing obvious forced entry and it being ransacked. This happened often when someone was jealous of what others had, it was the sad part of life. 

Understanding what happened Casen approached the children again, pulled out the bread he stored and tore it in two to give to them. This was as much as he could do at the moment, at times like this he was again reminded how much of a poison greed was. Yet, sooner or later he'd be the one to swallow that poison.

Having given the children the bread, Casen patted their heads in a farewell. He was headed toward the building where his boss was to give him back the file, he saw no need to take their lives since their father was now in such a way. They would suffer enough and leave.