Three days after the Rift Render attack, Akira sat in the Imperial Archives surrounded by centuries of accumulated knowledge—and one very enthusiastic younger brother.
"Found another one!" Kaito emerged from between towering shelves, dust coating his dark hair, clutching a leather-bound tome like it was treasure. "Third Demon Incursion, Year 237. Eyewitness account from a survivor of the northern wall breach."
Akira looked up from his own research—a military report documenting unusual animal behavior near the Jubaku no Chi over the past decade. "What's it say?"
"Three weeks before the main invasion, livestock started dying mysteriously. No wounds, no disease. They just... stopped living." Kaito set the book down, flipping to a marked page. "The local lord reported it to the capital, but by the time anyone investigated, the demons had already breached the wall."
"Three weeks warning, ignored." Akira added another note to his growing compilation. "What else?"
"Well water turning black. Crops withering overnight despite healthy soil. And this—" Kaito pointed to a passage, "—people reported hearing whispers in languages they didn't understand. Coming from nowhere. Driving some mad."
Akira felt a chill run down his spine. He'd read similar accounts in the original novel, described in Yumeko's perspective during her campaign against the demons. The author had portrayed it as atmospheric horror, building dread through environmental details rather than direct confrontation.
*But experiencing it as potential reality? Different feeling entirely.*
"We need to check current reports from border territories," Akira said, standing and stretching. His body still ached from the Rift Render encounter—a reminder of how outmatched he'd been. "If similar patterns are appearing now—"
"Already did." Kaito pulled out a separate stack of papers. "I may have... borrowed these from Lady Kaguya's office."
"You what?"
"Borrowed! I'll return them!" Kaito's grin was unrepentant. "Besides, she probably knows. Your aunt knows everything that happens in this palace."
He wasn't wrong. Akira scanned the reports—military dispatches from the past six months. And there, buried in routine observations, were the patterns:
*Northern Territory, Month 3: Unusual wolf pack behavior. Attacking in coordinated strikes unlike natural patterns.*
*Eastern Border, Month 4: Three farmers reported livestock deaths. No visible cause. Local priest performed purification rituals.*
*Western Outpost, Month 5: Well water discolored. Replaced water source. Garrison reported headaches and disturbed sleep.*
*Central Territory, Month 6: Merchant caravan reported hearing voices in the Whispering Woods. Two guards went mad, had to be restrained.*
Each incident minor. Each explained away. But together...
"It's already started," Akira said quietly. "The corruption. Just like the Third Incursion. We've been seeing the signs for months."
Kaito's face paled. "Then the Rift Render wasn't a scout. It was a warning. They're telling us they're already here."
"Worse. They're telling us they've been here for months, and we were too blind to notice."
The archive door opened. Master Fumio—the Head Archivist, an elderly man whose hunched back belied a mind sharp as any blade—shuffled in carrying tea.
"Young masters, you've been here for eight hours." His voice creaked like old parchment. "Even scholars need sustenance."
"Master Fumio, thank you." Akira accepted the tea gratefully. The old man had been surprisingly cooperative when Kaito explained their research topic, providing access to restricted sections without question.
"Finding what you need?" Fumio's cloudy eyes studied the scattered documents.
"More than we wanted to," Kaito muttered.
"Hmm. Demon incursions are cyclical, you know. Every eighty to hundred years, like clockwork. We're at year seventy-three since the Third Incursion." Fumio settled into a chair with a soft groan. "Some scholars believe it's not random. That demons require time to gather strength between invasions."
"Or they're testing us," Akira said. "Probing defenses. Learning our patterns."
"Interesting theory. Not one I've heard before." Fumio sipped his own tea. "The previous dukes of Kurogane believed demons were mindless destroyers. But you think they're strategic?"
"The Rift Render spoke before it died. 'Message delivered.' Mindless creatures don't deliver messages."
"No, they don't." Fumio's expression turned grave. "Which means we're not facing a natural disaster. We're facing an intelligent enemy with long-term plans."
Akira met the old man's eyes. Despite his appearance, Fumio was no fool. "How much do you know about what we're doing here?"
"Enough to provide the right documents. Not enough to be a liability." A small smile crossed Fumio's weathered face. "I've served this archive for sixty years, young master. I've seen three emperors, two wars, and countless political schemes. I know when to ask questions and when to simply help."
"And why help us?"
"Because I remember the Third Incursion. I was fifteen when demons breached the northern wall. I watched this city burn. Watched people I loved die." Fumio's hands trembled slightly. "If there's even a chance to prevent that horror from repeating, I'll do whatever I can. Even if it means trusting the duke everyone calls cold-hearted."
Kaito looked between them. "You know he's changed, don't you? My brother, I mean."
"People don't change, Prince Kaito. They reveal." Fumio stood slowly. "The capacity for good was always there. It simply needed the right circumstances to emerge."
After the old archivist left, Kaito turned to Akira. "He's right, you know. About you."
"I'm not sure I deserve that assessment."
"Maybe not. But you're trying. That counts for something." Kaito paused. "Brother, can I ask you something personal?"
"Of course."
"The dream you mentioned at council. The one where you saw yourself dying. Was it..." Kaito struggled with the words, "was it just a strategic excuse? Or did you really see something?"
Akira considered how to answer. The truth—that he'd transmigrated from another world and read about his death in a novel—was impossible to explain. But a partial truth...
"I saw what I could become," he said carefully. "A man so focused on strength that he destroyed everything worth protecting. A man who died alone, hated, begging for mercy he'd never shown others." He met Kaito's eyes. "That's not a prophecy. That's a warning. A path I refuse to walk."
"But you're walking a different path now. One that might lead somewhere better."
"Might. There's no guarantee." Akira gestured to their research. "We're trying to prevent a demon invasion while building an alliance with our historical enemies. The probability of success is..."
"Low?"
"Catastrophically low." Akira smiled grimly. "But slightly better than doing nothing."
"That's the spirit," Kaito said dryly. Then, more seriously: "When do you leave for Hikari?"
"Nine days. Father wants me to present our demon evidence to the court first, get official authorization for the diplomatic mission."
"And you'll be going alone?"
"With a small escort. Enough to show respect, not so many as to seem threatening." Akira had been planning this carefully. Too large a delegation would make the Hikari Empire defensive. Too small would seem insulting.
"You'll be walking into enemy territory with people who have every reason to hate you."
"I know."
"You could die."
"I know that too."
Kaito grabbed his brother's shoulders, forcing eye contact. "Then why are you doing this?"
*Because in the original novel, everyone dies if I don't. Because the alternative is watching this world burn. Because maybe, just maybe, I can save people who were doomed by the original story.*
But he couldn't say that.
"Because someone has to," Akira said instead. "And I have the knowledge, the position, and apparently the sudden urge to not be a complete bastard. That makes it my responsibility."
"That's the stupidest heroic reasoning I've ever heard."
"I'm not a hero, Kaito. I'm just trying not to be the villain."
"Maybe that's what heroism is. Choosing not to be what everyone expects."
Before Akira could respond, the archive door slammed open. Lady Kaguya swept in, her purple eyes blazing.
"There you are. I've been looking everywhere." She held up a document. "We have a problem."
"What kind of problem?" Akira asked, though he already suspected.
"Duke Saburo has requested an audience with the Emperor. He's claiming new intelligence from Hikari territory—evidence that they're planning a preemptive strike against Kagerou."
Akira's stomach dropped. "That's impossible. We just survived a demon attack. Any rational analysis would show—"
"Since when is court politics rational?" Kaguya's voice was sharp. "Saburo is spinning the Rift Render attack as a distraction. Claiming Hikari might be collaborating with demons to weaken us."
"That's insane!"
"That's politics." Kaguya moved to the research materials, scanning them quickly. "Is this your demon evidence?"
"Yes. Eyewitness accounts, historical patterns, current border reports—"
"Not enough. You have correlation, not causation. Saburo will argue these are coincidences or natural phenomena."
"The Rift Render spoke! Father heard it!"
"One demon's words against months of 'intelligence' from Saburo's sources. Your father wants to believe you, Akira. But the court is divided. Half think you've gone soft. The other half think you're playing a deeper game." Kaguya's expression softened slightly. "You need something irrefutable. Something even the skeptics can't dismiss."
Akira's mind raced. In the original novel, the first undeniable proof of demonic invasion came in year three—when a demon army of ten thousand breached the northern wall. By then, hundreds of thousands had already died in human conflicts.
*But what if there's evidence now? Something the original Akira never looked for because he didn't care?*
"The Jubaku no Chi," he said suddenly. "The Cursed Lands. If demons are preparing an invasion, there must be physical evidence there. Staging areas. Corrupted zones. Something concrete."
"The Jubaku no Chi is a death trap," Kaguya said flatly. "The air itself is toxic. Corrupted creatures roam freely. Even Tier 5 warriors don't venture deep."
"Then I won't go deep. Just far enough to find proof."
"You'll die."
"Maybe. But if I don't, and Saburo convinces Father to restart the Hikari invasion..." Akira met his aunt's eyes. "How many will die then?"
Kaguya was silent for a long moment. Then: "You're serious."
"Completely."
"Your father will never authorize this."
"Then I won't ask for authorization."
"That's treason."
"That's necessity."
Kaito grabbed Akira's arm. "Brother, no. This is insane. You almost died fighting one Tier 5 demon. The Cursed Lands are full of them!"
"Which is why I won't fight. I'll scout, gather evidence, and leave. Quick in, quick out." Akira pulled his arm free gently. "Kaito, I have to do this. If Saburo derails the diplomatic mission before it starts—"
"Then we find another way!"
"There is no other way. Not in the time we have."
"I'll go with you," Kaguya said suddenly.
Both brothers stared at her.
"What?" she said calmly. "You're my nephew. Stupid, suicidal, but family. Besides, someone with actual Tier 4 combat experience should accompany you. No offense, but your swordsmanship is adequate at best."
"Aunt Kaguya—"
"Don't argue. If you're doing this idiocy, you're doing it with backup." She pulled out a map, spreading it on the table. "The southern edge of the Jubaku no Chi is least corrupted. We can reach it in two days hard riding. Spend one day scouting, two days return. Five days total."
"Father will notice we're gone."
"Let me handle the Emperor. I'll tell him you're doing deep research in the northern territories. Not technically a lie." Kaguya's smile was sharp. "Kaito, you'll cover for us here. Can you manage that?"
Kaito looked between them, his expression pained. Finally: "I hate this. I hate everything about this. But..." He sighed. "Yes. I'll cover for you."
"Good boy." Kaguya began rolling up the map. "We leave tonight. Pack light—speed over supplies. And Akira?"
"Yes?"
"If you get me killed, I will haunt you for eternity. Clear?"
Despite everything, Akira smiled. "Crystal clear."
---
**Hours later, as midnight approached, Akira stood in his chambers making final preparations.**
He'd changed into traveling clothes—dark, practical, designed for stealth rather than status. His swords were sharpened. His supplies minimal. The cracked charm from his mother was tucked safely in an inner pocket.
Hana-obaa-san entered without knocking, as was her privilege.
"You're leaving." Not a question.
"How did you—"
"I've been caring for you since you were six. I know when you're planning something dangerous." She held out a small pouch. "Take this."
Inside were medical supplies far beyond what Akira had packed. Antidotes. Salves. Bandages treated with healing herbs.
"Hana-obaa-san, I can't—"
"You can and will. Because if you die stupidly in some cursed wasteland, I'll never forgive you." Her weathered hands gripped his shoulders. "Whatever you're doing, whatever you're planning... come back. Promise me."
"I promise."
"Liar." But she smiled, sad and knowing. "At least try."
After she left, Akira stood at his window one last time, looking out over Yamikazura. The city slept peacefully, unaware of the dangers gathering in the north. Unaware that their duke was about to venture into one of the most dangerous places in Elyria.
*In the original novel, Akira never did this. He never investigated the demons himself. He just dismissed them as distant threat while pursuing his ambitions.*
*But I'm not him. Not anymore.*
A soft knock. Lady Kaguya, dressed in dark traveling leathers, twin daggers at her hips.
"Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Then let's go prove demons exist. Or die trying."
"You're terrible at pep talks."
"Good thing I'm excellent at killing things."
They slipped out of the palace through secret passages Kaguya knew intimately. Through the city under cover of darkness. To the stables where two horses waited, already saddled.
As they mounted and rode toward the northern gates, Akira looked back once at the palace.
Somewhere in there, Kaito was probably praying for their safe return. Emperor Ryuzen slept, unaware his son and sister were embarking on a suicidal mission. And the court schemed, ignorant of the true threats facing their empire.
*Nine days until the diplomatic mission to Hikari. Nine days to find proof, return alive, and somehow convince Father that demons, not humans, are the real enemy.*
*No pressure at all.*
Lady Kaguya urged her horse into a gallop. Akira followed, leaving the safety of Yamikazura behind.
Ahead lay the Jubaku no Chi—the Cursed Lands where demons gathered and corruption festered.
And somewhere beyond that, in the Hikari Empire's gleaming capital, Princess Yumeko Shirogane continued her training, unaware that the villain from her future nightmares was currently risking everything to save both their kingdoms.
*I'm coming,* Akira thought as the city lights faded behind them. *To prove demons exist. To forge an alliance. To change a fate that was written in blood.*
*To meet you and somehow convince you I'm not the enemy.*
*This is insane. This is impossible.*
*This is the only way.*
The horses' hooves thundered against the road, carrying them north into darkness and uncertainty.
And behind them, in the palace archives, the documents they'd compiled told a story of corruption spreading, patterns repeating, and a catastrophe approaching that no one wanted to see.
The game had begun.
And Akira had just made his opening move.