5 Years Before the Story Begins...
[??? PoV]
The Noors are a people from the southwestern regions of the Empire. A hundred years ago, when the Noors were at their peak, our people were feared across the southern world.
The Noors often raided those who approached our lands, killing anyone who dared to resist. Once a year, we would even organize a massive raid against neighboring nations.
The Noors are divided into several tribes, each led by a Chief. These Chiefs would eventually choose one among them to become the Tagus, the leader of all Noors tribes.
But all that glory disappeared fifty years ago when the Empire attacked.
The war between the Noors and the Empire lasted a year. With equipment far more advanced than ours, the Empire easily defeated the Noor fighters.
In the end, they conquered us, annexing our lands, and the Noors were forced to submit to the Empire's rule.
Now, only six tribes remain from the original nine.
I was born and grew up in the Tyal Tribe.
This tribe has a population of about 5,000 people—up from the mere 2,000 that survived when the war ended.
The tribe is now in a better state; we've been able to return to farming with plentiful harvests, there have been no monster attacks in recent years, and most importantly, no more lives have been lost to foolish violence.
"Sister Tyra! Sister Tyra! How do you read this?"
Right now, I am teaching the children to read the language of the Empire. Unlike our script, theirs is much simpler and easier to memorize.
The lands that worship the goddess Diana share the same language. However, the Noors worship a different goddess, so our languages have little in common.
"Come here, Gori. I'll teach you."
This is an orphanage, but some tribe members also leave their children here because they don't have the time to look after them. They work in the Empire's big cities.
The jobs they have there aren't easy; they are labor-intensive work like mining, construction, and cleaning sewers.
That's because our people don't have any skills beyond their physical strength.
I was lucky to meet someone kind enough to teach me how to read and write when the Empire's people first arrived.
"Alright, now practice on your own!" I call to them.
"Yes, Sister Tyra!"
They're so adorable... I hope we can keep building a good life here.
After teaching, I take a walk toward the edge of the village to meet someone. He's my closest friend.
"Hey, Tyra."
"You're getting prettier, Tyra!"
Tribe members greet me as I pass their homes. Most of them work as beet farmers or livestock keepers. Still, we need to increase our local production so we're not always relying on just one product for survival.
"Good morning, Tyra."
I see an elderly man approaching me. He's the Chief of our tribe.
"Are you going to meet Jaru at the Yuris tree?" he asks.
"Yes, I think he's about done with his work," I reply.
"Has your brother still not returned?" the Chief asks.
Hearing this, my heart became heavy. My brother, he left the tribe to go to someone he believed would resurrect our Nation. It has been two years and he has not returned.
"I have heard some bad news from outside our territory," the chief said. "Some of our people are causing trouble in the big cities."
Hearing the Chief's words, I became quite worried about my brother joining such a group.
"The 30 or so young men who left this tribe back then were with your brother, weren't they?" the chief said in a heavy voice. "I hope they won't bring trouble to this place."
I hope so too. Right now, the tribe is stabilizing and heading for better development. In fact, I think it's better that Big Brother and the others don't come back here.
After chatting with the Chief, I walked back towards the outskirts of the village.
Not long after, I noticed a large tree with thick foliage. Beneath it, a man sat dozing, leaning against the trunk.
I smiled at the sight and walked over to him.
His innocent face looked adorable, stirring a playful urge in me. I crouched down and gently touched his cheek to wake him.
We were just friends, yet I felt we shared a mutual affection.
When we were 17, the Empire only allowed marriages when both partners turned 18. I believed he would propose to me on that day, and tomorrow was my eighteenth birthday.
I could hardly wait.
"Hey, Jaru, wake up... How long are you going to sleep?"
Hearing my voice, the man's eyes opened. He looked surprised, seeing my face so close to his.
"T-Tyra? You're already here…" he murmured, turning his face away. "Sorry, I fell asleep. I was exhausted from earlier."
"Oh, come on... How are you supposed to protect me if you're this weak?" I teased him.
"Sh-shut up! At least I'm trying and training now!" Jaru replied, starting to pout.
I smiled at his reaction.
"Hey, don't be mad. Let's go to the river and fish like we always do," I suggested, trying to cheer him up.
He just nodded in response. We left the spot to enjoy our usual activity together.
...
I returned home around dusk. My house wasn't large, so tidying it up didn't take much effort.
We once lived here as a family of four, but my father passed away when I was only six. Mother took care of both of us tirelessly, without regard for her own health.
Eventually, she passed away two years ago from overwork. After her death, my brother left the tribe, leaving me alone in the house.
But now, things were different. Those dark days were behind us, and the village was better off. Though the war left the Noors tribe devastated, we would rebuild in time.
After freshening up and wiping away my sweat, I went straight to bed.
Spending time with Jaru today was such a joy. I had a happy life now.
Teaching in the mornings and fishing with Jaru in the afternoons.
I hoped all would stay well in the days to come.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Just as I was drifting off, I heard a knock on the door.
Rising from my straw bed, I walked slowly toward the door. Peering through the window, I saw a mysterious man.
I readied a knife in my hand before opening the door.
Click!
The door creaked open, and the man stepped inside without asking for permission.
I quickly pushed him against the wall, holding my knife to his throat.
"Who are you? Why are you here at this hour?" I demanded with a threatening tone.
"Re-relax, Tyra! It's me, Hama—your brother!" the man quickly explained.
"Brother Hama? Why are you here?" I asked, releasing him.
"What do you mean, 'Why are you here?' This is my home! Why should I need your permission to come back?" he said, his tone rising with anger.
"You left me here alone without any shame! You're the firstborn; you should've taken responsibility for your family!" I retorted, my anger flaring.
He ignored my words and sat at the dining table.
"All the young men who left are returning to their homes," he said, lighting something and inhaling. "We managed to bring back riches for our tribe, Tyra."
Riches? Did they find good work in the big cities? But wasn't our tribe discriminated against by the Empire for being backward? How did they acquire these riches?
"But we left the treasure near the Kulfu bridge," Brother Hama continued. "I need you to retrieve it and bring it here."
"Answer me honestly—where did you get this treasure?" I asked sternly.
"Ugh, does it matter where it came from as long as it benefits the tribe?" he deflected.
"Don't tell me you committed a crime to get this."
He looked away, confirming my suspicions.
"You and the other men are fools, Brother! This wealth will only bring danger to our tribe!" I scolded him harshly.
"What did you say? We fought for the tribe! Some of us even died! I won't let you disgrace their sacrifices!" he snapped back.
"We didn't need your efforts, Brother. Our tribe is already on a better path. It won't be long before we flourish like the cities if we build it right."
I believed that, with teaching the next generation about the world, our tribe would gain the Empire's recognition. Our main issue was language; many of the Noors still didn't speak the Empire's tongue.
"You're naive to think that way, Tyra," Brother Hama said, standing up. "The Empire will never accept our people! Look what they've done to our village—replacing our goddess' statue with theirs, banning our culture, treating us like animals!"
It was true—the Empire prohibited us from worshipping the Noor goddess, banned our culture, and considered us barbaric. If this continued, the Noors would lose their identity as a people.
But it was better than being killed or enslaved. I believed we would create people who would rise to positions of influence in the Empire. All we needed was time.
"Fine, I'll get it for you. But you and your group must leave here soon, understood?" I told him. Having them here would only endanger our tribe.
"Alright, we'll leave after a few days."
I then left the house, carrying a torch. There was no light here, unlike in the Empire's cities.
I had only been to a city once. It was so different from the tribe, with tall, sturdy buildings and smooth roads made from materials unfamiliar to me. The people dressed so well, unlike us.
After some time, I extinguished my torch upon spotting a group of patrol soldiers.
"It's unusual for them to be here," I muttered. "Is it because of Brother and his group?"
I tried not to dwell on ominous thoughts.
After they passed, I relit my torch by striking two stones together. Soon, I arrived at the Kulfu bridge where Brother had stashed the treasure.
I climbed down and found a tied sack. Peeking inside, I saw a mound of gold coins filling it.
Judging by the size, there must be a thousand gold coins! More than enough to buy tools and build a proper school for the Tyal tribe!
But if the Empire discovered that the Tyal tribe had stolen this money, it would be the end of us.
I quickly hoisted the sack onto my back to bring it to Brother Hama.
Yet, the journey back wasn't as smooth as when I left. I had to stop frequently to avoid the patrols.
But with patience, I finally reached the village outskirts. Just a little further, and it would all be over.
Clang!
I dropped the sack I was carrying.
That's because I saw a massive fire engulfing the village's houses.
"What… what happened here?"
Moving closer, I saw Imperial soldiers in the village, tying up villagers and tormenting them.
Why were they attacking innocent villagers? Even the children weren't spared from their cruelty!
I had to get to the orphanage—I had to save them.
I raced to the orphanage where I taught. But when I arrived, I saw my fellow teachers lying in pools of blood, their bodies stripped of dignity.
My heart swelled with fury.
"Why…?"
Entering the children's room, I saw their lifeless bodies sprawled across the blood-stained floor.
"Why… did they do something so cruel…?"
I… didn't understand… I was lost…
"Ughh…"
A weak sound came from a boy nearby. One was still alive. I rushed over and lifted him.
"Gori, hang in there! I'll get you out of here and heal your wounds!"
"Miss Tyra…" he whispered weakly. "I'm glad you're safe…"
And with those words, he breathed his last breath.
My tears fell, drenching his innocent face.
"They were only children… How could they be so heartless…?"
Jaru… Yes! I had to find him and get him to safety!
Leaving the orphanage, I ran as fast as I could to reach his house.
Please… please… don't let me be too late…
When I arrived, I saw a burning house.
My heart shattered at the horrific sight. Jaru and his mother were tied to a post, their bodies covered in stab wounds from the soldiers' torment.
"Why did this happen…?"
All my beautiful days, my hopes, and my home were destroyed in one night.
"Hey, there's one more here!"
A soldier's voice rang out. They approached me and struck me hard. All I could do was stare at Jaru's lifeless body, still hanging there.
What did we do to deserve this…?
Why was our tribe slaughtered like this…?
…
A few days later, I learned the reason for the massacre. The soldiers were ordered by Prince Felix to hunt down rebels who had fled here.
The "rebels" were my brother and his thirty friends who had hidden in our village.
But when the soldiers arrived, Brother and his friends fled immediately, and only four were captured in the village.
The soldiers then began interrogating the remaining villagers, seeking information about the families of the rebels. But when they failed to get what they wanted, they started killing everyone.
My brother was one of the leaders of the Noors rebel group led by Tuor - a Noors from the Omor tribe.
As a result of finding many members of our tribe to be rebels and also being found to be harboring them, the Empire sentenced our tribe to 10 years of hard labor as an example to other tribes not to rebel.
However, I could not accept this. Children were cruelly killed, tribe members were tortured like animals, this was not justice but a massacre.
I've heard that all these actions were ordered by Prince Felix.
Just wait, I will avenge what you did to my home that I love so much!
After escaping from the Concentration Camp, I changed my name and started learning the Imperial language without the Noors accent so as not to be suspected by the Imperial people.
My current goal is only one-to kill Prince Felix for the crimes he committed against my hometown.
.
.
.
5 years have passed...
I am now 23 years old and have a job in the Imperial Military Agency. I tried to train my body as a knight to attract Prince Felix's attention so that I could approach him.
- Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Judas, are you ready?"
I heard my partner call out.
"Yes, in a moment!" I told him.
"Hurry up, Prince Felix will be present to choose who his new bodyguard will be."
This was the moment I'd been waiting for. All my efforts in five years would finally be accomplished after making it into Prince Felix's circle.
Everyone... I will avenge you...
Exiting the room, I saw my male companion waiting outside.
"Let's hurry, Judas."
We then walked towards Prince Felix's room. Currently, I'm in the Grand Palace of Aragon where the Emperor resides.
There will be a meeting held here tomorrow. The Emperor's family will attend with their bodyguards.
Not long after, we ran into a beautiful blonde girl wearing an academy uniform. She had a dark-haired man beside her.
"Good morning, Princess Elena."
We stopped to greet her and bowed as a sign of respect to the Emperor's family.
The Princess just smiled and walked past us.
"Hey, who's that black-haired guy with her?" I asked my partner.
"Hmm... If I'm not mistaken, he's the son of Duke Alvaro-Raul de Garcia."
Is that so? Why was he with Princess Elena? Wasn't Duke Alvaro rumored to be one of the nobles who would support Prince Felix.
We then continued our journey towards the Prince's room.
Not long after, we arrived in front of his room. Two knights were standing guard at the door of this room.
My partner then gave a letter to one of the knights.
After reading it, the knight knocked on the door of Prince Felix's room.
"Come in."
The door of the room opened, revealing a blond-haired man sitting at his desk.
This was him... The man responsible for the massacre of the Tyal tribe and making them do slave labor.
"So, you will be my new bodyguard?" asked Prince Felix looking at me directly. "What is your name?"
"Yes, my name is Judas Victariot!"
Just wait you bastard, I'm going to stab you in the back at the most crucial moment of your life.
I'll crush your dreams of becoming Emperor and make sure you live to see it.
After that, I will kill you after destroying you physically and mentally.