Chapter 10: S1. The Prince, The Flower, And The Resistance – 1
You opened your eyes in some secluded forest.
“……Did I succeed in Dimensional Travel?”
It wasn’t certain. This place was just a forest, and you couldn’t spot any meaningful differences from the world you lived in. Perhaps, due to a failure in magic, it simply resulted in a long-distance teleportation.
However, regardless of the success of the magic, the fact that you were standing in the middle of a forest remained unchanged.
You seemed to realize something. Was there anything special around you?
“This type of tree only grows near the Imperial Capital. It was obtained to commemorate the Fifth Emperor’s birthday by ordering the alchemists.”
Indeed, that was right. According to the knowledge you had, this forest wasn’t far from the Imperial Capital.
At least it was a small consolation in an unfortunate situation. After all, had you landed in a remote jungle, you would have immediately worried about your survival.
However, a small forest was still big enough to get lost in. Despite looking around, there were no signs or paths made by people, just the occasional chirp chirp of birds echoing through the trees.
Then, a sound you had never heard before echoed around.
Vrooooooom──!
“⋯⋯.”
You crouched low and observed the direction of the sound.
It was from the sky. The noise, vibrating in the air, was resonating from above. An oddly shaped ‘something’ was crossing the sky, producing that sound.
That ‘something’ was more akin to a structure than a living creature. It clicked like clockwork and spewed steam vigorously. Carrying many people, it flew towards the setting sun.
“……Are people on board?”
A structure flying in the sky.
Legends said ancient civilizations had such relics, but this design seemed too refined for something ancient. It even sported railings reminiscent of designs fashionable in the Empire nowadays.
Later, you would learn that it was the quintessence of magical engineering, referred to as the Airship.
“It’s better to follow that… flying golem than to wander aimlessly in the forest. That way, I might increase my chances of encountering people.”
You navigated through the forest following the Airship. Its speed wasn’t outrageously fast, and because it was so loud, you managed to keep up.
Perhaps you moved for about an hour? The tall castle walls finally came into sight.
It was the castle walls of Crownhall, the Imperial Capital. However, it looked different from what you remembered.
Parts of them were cracked, and one side had even collapsed. Traces of repairs were glaringly visible. Damage to the once impregnable walls of Crownhall was surprising enough, but…
There was something even more shocking. The flag.
The flag hanging high above the central castle wasn’t the Imperial Crest. It was an emblem you had never seen before. As you knew, the Imperial Crest had never changed since the founding of the Empire.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
You sensed that something was very wrong.
A long line to enter the city formed at the castle gate, and the guards were bustling around inspecting people. The armor of the guards felt unfamiliar to you as well. Something was definitely different from the Empire you knew.
But that didn’t mean you could simply turn back to the forest and live like a savage.
You were the type who faced threats head-on, and you did just that this time. Cautiously, you joined the queue to blend in. However, as soon as you did, multiple gazes fell upon you.
And they were especially fixed on your hair.
Your proud golden hair, symbolizing Imperial Blood, attracted looks of disdain, mockery, and anger. It felt like they were just waiting to insult you.
People were probably holding back, thanks to the air of noble importance you projected.
The disdainful glares you had never experienced before sent your blood boiling. To be met with contempt despite being born into noble blood and honored all your life? Absolutely unacceptable.
You scanned your surroundings to understand the cause.
Those with murky golden hair were being treated like slaves. It was truly bizarre. Light or dark golden hair—it was evidence of imperial lineage; most golden-haired folks were nobles in the Empire.
So why were these noble-blooded individuals being used as slaves?
The answer to this mystery came during your conversation with a guard.
“Halt. State your identity. Where’s your master?”
“I am no slave.”
The guard scoffed audibly.
“If you’re not a slave, then what? A plaything, perhaps? To think there’s someone who walks around with such filthy golden hair, holding their head high.”
“Show some respect. My patience has limits…”
“This slave brat dares… Are you mistaking your master’s authority for yours? No matter how high of a status they might be, you are just a lucky little slave. Got it?”
Thrust. Thrust.
As he poked at your forehead with a gauntleted hand, you could not bear it any longer and shouted.
“Show some respect, guard! I am the Second Prince of the Empire, Irid Crown—!”
Silence.
A chilling silence enveloped the area.
You… thought it was because people were awed by your identity, but that wasn’t it. It was merely the calm before the storm and a prelude to an unspeakable insult.
Crack—!
Stars spun in your vision. You collapsed after being slapped in the cheek. After being stunned by the insufferable insult, as you gathered your mana to take off the damned guard’s head, you heard something unbelievable.
“You had so many options, and you chose to imitate that fool. Have you lost your mind?”
“What…?”
“Some people live in delusions, I suppose. Listen well, little slave. The reason your beloved Empire collapsed and its citizens are now living like crawling slaves—the fault lies with the Wither Emperor Irid!”
‘Imperial citizens,’ ‘slaves,’ ‘ruined,’ and ‘Wither Emperor.’ Sparks flew in your mind.
The reason why those with imperial blood and golden hair were now slaves.
The crumbled and hastily repaired castle walls of the Empire and the absent flag of the Imperial Family.
And the miraculous technology you had never witnessed before, the Airship.
This was the future.
A future where you, having ascended to the throne, brought the Empire to ruin.
You… felt dazed, like someone who had lost their soul. Even as the guards rushed over to beat you with clubs, your mind resonated not with pain, but with countless ‘Why?’
Why was the once-mighty Empire destroyed?
Why was I the cause of the Empire’s downfall?
Why does the disgraceful title ‘Wither Emperor’ have to be attached to my name?
Why, why, why…
You entered Crownhall, once the Imperial Capital, in tatters. As you staggered, you gazed at the Crownhall of the future, filled with gears and steam.
The citizens walked the streets smiling, but the slaves with murky golden hair looked utterly wretched. Civilization had advanced, the roads were clean, and bright street lamps were installed, but…
What happened in the shadows was utterly dark.
The only solace for you, shocked and devastated, was the faintly glowing purple, watch-shaped tattoo on your wrist. As the wizard had foretold… when the time came, you would return to your original world.
===============================================================
The past three days were the most horrifying for Irid, the Second Prince born of noble blood.
In the future Crownhall, his status was at rock bottom. Everyone saw him as a slave, not a noble, and harassment became a daily occurrence.
Thus, when walking the streets, he had to wrap his golden hair in rags. Unable to procure even a simple wrapping cloth, he picked up and wore foul-smelling rags discarded on the ground.
He couldn’t even find a job. Despite showcasing his ability to read and write, merchants only offered him laughable wages.
However, these three days were not meaningless. Irid eavesdropped and gathered various pieces of information.
The Empire had been defeated and occupied by the ‘Kingdom Alliance,’ formed by the unification of three kingdoms. Captured members of the imperial family and nobles were all enslaved, as were their children.
The ‘present’ was now 100 years after the era Irid lived in.
The Kingdom Alliance, due to its tyranny, suffered from poor public support. Among the lower classes, many longed for the old Empire, and the remnants of the Empire were engaging in resistance activities.
And…
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Irid rolled up his sleeves to his forearm. The purple watch-shaped tattoo was emitting a faint light. The watch had marks dividing from 0 to 3 and was gradually decreasing.
Irid recalled the wizard’s words. Although it was only three days ago, it felt like a distant past.
‘After three hours in real-time, I shall call for the Prince again. I shall leave a mark on your wrist so you can recognize the time to return. And to reiterate, it is all fict…’
After three hours in real-time, that was his promise.
Time flowed differently between the future and the present. The scale on the watch tattoo had just reached 2. If converted, it meant… 6 days. If he could survive just 6 days in this dreadful future, he could return.
“…….Fucking damn it all.”
Irid leaned against the wall of the alleyway, covering his face with both hands as he crouched on the ground.
Hunger and physical pain meant nothing compared to the agony in his heart.
The fact that he had destroyed the Empire and that the people who served it were living as slaves was unbearably painful.
To aspire to sit on the throne, he needed to gather valuable information from this future Crownhall. From the nation’s future trends to even climate changes. And if he could somehow obtain blueprints for the Airship, it would be the icing on the cake.
If he returned with technology from 100 years in the future, no matter how much his sister and little brother struggled, the throne would be his. But what meaning did that hold?
After all, if he became emperor, the Empire would fall into ruin.
He would live in silence, as if he were dead. Upon returning, he wouldn’t even aspire for the throne but would live a peaceful life instead. So…
Splashhhh!
“──Pfff!”
Water poured down over Irid’s head. When he looked up, he saw a girl leaning out of a third-floor window, her blue eyes wide with surprise.
“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t know someone was there…..”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“Just a moment!”
Irid pressed the rag down to cover his face and rose. He was no longer even angry about being drenched with water. He solely wished to bolt from the alleyway and avoid any further troublesome matters.
But then…
“Heup!”
Swishhhh-!
The girl grabbed a pipe on the wall with one hand and slid down! Her skirt and black hair fluttered against the air resistance.
“⋯⋯?!”
The girl quickly descended into the alley and landed. Then, she dusted off her overturned skirt before examining Irid. Her overall movements were lively and bouncy.
“Uwah, you’re completely soaked. Let’s dry your clothes for a bit. I’ll even serve you a bowl of stew!”
“No, I’m fin……”
“It’s freezing out, and you’ll catch a cold if you stay wet! Come on!”
The girl grabbed Irid’s hand and dragged him away.
He could definitely have resisted. However, he couldn’t shake off her hand, perhaps due to the surprising act of ‘kindness’ he had received after three long days.
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